The Importance of
Hypertension Drugs

Should You Go Natural or Pharmaceutical?

This site is mostly about how avoid the need for Hypertension Drugs by finding and applying natural or herbal remedies, and by avoiding the traps that trigger hypertension in us. But when Hypertension is already active in us, then taking our medication as prescribed by the doctor is vital to maintaining our health. DO NOT think that you can second guess the physician and treat yourself. Natural High Blood Pressure Remedies need to work in conjunction with, and as a supplement to, medication; and even then, only with the blessings of your doctor.

The Importance of a Regular Dosing Schedule

Diseases like hypertension present a challenge to the patient who is prescribed medication. Normally, a person is reminded to take their meds by their own bodily symptoms which call attention to our need for our drug. But Hypertension normally has no noticeable symptoms and so we are forced to rely on our own ability to stick to our schedule. This is complicated by the fact that most patients will need to take at least two drugs which may be needed at irregular times throughout the day. When you add to this any other medications in your schedule, it can get complex. Fortunately, modern medicine is coming up with ways to make our lives a little easier in this regard.

Fixed-Dose Combination Drugs

Most people with Hypertension will need a combination of at least two drugs called antihypertensives. The prescribed combination of these drugs depends upon the patient’s condition, and they complement each other in different ways to achieve the desired effect. Thiazide Diuretics for high blood pressure are commonly combined with Beta Blockers, ACE and ARB inhibitors. ACE and ARB inhibitors are also typically combined together with Calcium Channel Blockers.

The Fixed Dose Combination, places two drugs from different classes together in one dose, pill or tablet. This makes life much more simple and convenient for the patient who does not need to balance two separate prescriptions. Taking the drugs in combination form is easier on the body as well since the combination drug is typically a lower dosage than one drug would be as taken alone. Also, since the two drugs complement each other and work together, they can offset and reduce the side effects that one or the other may have if taken individually.

Substantiated by Scientific Observational Studies

The Johns Hopkins White Papers, (Lawrence Appel, M.D., & Rafael H. Llinas, M.D.. (2010). Hypertension and Stroke White Paper. Florida: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts White Pages), cites several scientific observational studies of control groups comparing patients using Fixed-Dose Combination drugs versus those on separate medications.

Two groups of patients from a managed-care database of 8,700 people being treated for hypertension were tested for the drugs Microzide (a diuretic hydrochlorothiazide), and Diovan (an ARB Valsartan). One group used the Fixed-Dose combination, while the other took the drugs separately. Those using the combination drugs were considerably more adherent over the period of one year. Their medical costs were also considerably less that those buying the drugs individually.

Another comparison was made among a managed care database of 6,000 people being treated with Benazepril (Lotensin), an ACE inhibitor, and Amlodipine (Norvasac), a calcium channel blocker. 3,000 taking the combination drug were 88% adherent after a year compared to 69% adherency among the other 3,000 who took the drugs separately. The combination drug’s adherency results were even more positive when the variables of other medications were involved.

Four studies that analyzed results of patients using Fixed-Dose Combinations of ACE inhibitor-calcium channel blocker, ACE inhibitor-diuretic, and ARB diuretic, revealed that combination drug users reduced their risk of non-adherency by 25% as opposed to those who took the drugs separately.

The Combination That is Right For You

It goes without saying that the right combination of hypertension drugs is up to your doctor. But for people with a history of heart failure, diabetes, or stoke, most medical experts prescribe a combination of a diuretic with an ACE inhibitor (or an ARB) or a combination of ACE inhibitor and a calcium channel blocker. A diuretic-beta blocker combination may also be prescribed for people with a history of heart failure as well.

The Variables Involved in Choosing
an Appropriate Medication Plan

Some patients cannot benefit from the Fixed Dose Combinations, due to the fact that the necessary drugs for them are not available in combination form.  The combination option is also not ideal for those who are in need of dosing fluctuations of one or the other drug.

If you are unable to qualify for a Fixed-Dose Combination of Hypertension Drugs, you can still positively manage you adherence rate by maintaining a strict scheduling of your meds, and making them a top priority in your life. Use a pill organizer and reminders to help you organize your routine. If you reach a point where your dosage levels for each med are stable, ask your doctor if you can switch to a Fixed-Dose Combination.

"To preserve health is a moral and religious duty, for health is the basis of all social virtues. We can no longer be useful when we are not well.” - Samuel Johnson

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