Three-pill combo for high BP launched

People suffering from high blood pressure (BP) can now manage with just a three-pill combo, after it was launched here Tuesday.

A 12-week trial was conducted comparing people who took the combo pill Sevikar HCT to those who took the medicines individually. The pill increased the proportion and lowered the BP to target from 40 to 64 percent.

The makers of Sevikar HCT are hopeful that it will help thousands of patients to stick to their drug regime by simplifing the process.

High BP is known to increase chances of coronary heart disease and stroke. Data shows two million BP patients take three or more pills and manually combine drugs that would control hypertension.

Known as the silent killer, high BP rarely has visible symptoms until a potentially deadly event happens, like a heart attack or stroke, the Telegraph reported.

Often people with high BP need to take other drugs for separate health conditions, such as statins to control cholesterol, and may forget to take the right medication.

Studies show that up to four in five people do not take their medication as directed by their doctor, meaning some go on to needlessly suffer health problems.

Sevikar HCT contains olmesartan medoxomil (OLM), long-acting selective angiotensin II receptor blocker; amlodipine (AML), a calcium channel blocker; and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a diuretic. All these lower blood pressure in different ways.

Graham MacGregor, chairman of the Blood Pressure Association, said the pills were free to prescribe.