Patients with untreated or uncontrolled hypertension reached blood pressure goals after treatment with a low-dose "triple pill," researchers reported here.
In a study conducted in Sri Lanka and among 647 patients with data at 6 months, the triple-pill was associated with greater achievement of blood pressure target levels compared with usual care (70% versus 55%, RR 1.23, [95% CI 1.09, 1.39, P=0.0007), according to Ruth Webster, PhD, MBBS, of the George Institute for Global Health at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, and colleagues.
The triple pill was a fixed-dose combination of telmisartan (20 mg), amlodipine (2.5 mg), and chlorthalidone (12.5 mg). An option for a a double dose version at or after 6 weeks was allowed.
The maximum difference in treatment arms was observed at 6 weeks (68% versus 44%, RR 1.53, 95% CI 1.33, 1.76, the authors reported in a presentation at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting.
"Based on our findings, we conclude that this new method of using blood pressure-lowering drugs was more effective and just as safe as current approaches," Webster said.