Powerful Drug for Patients with High Blood Pressure

A single-tablet combination of two of the world's most prescribed high blood pressure medicines will soon be available as an effective treatment option.

The new medicine, Exforge, is the first of its kind to combine the active ingredients of an angiotensin receptor blocker (valsartan) and a calcium channel blocker (amlodipine) with the convenience of a single, once-daily tablet. In two placebo-controlled trials, Exforge helped up to nine out of 10 patients reach their treatment goal of diastolic blood pressure under 90 mmHg, or more than a 10 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure from baseline levels. In two further clinical trials, Exforge demonstrated superior blood pressure lowering efficacy in patients--uncontrolled when taking either valsartan or amlodipine alone.

Exforge, a product of Novartis (Basel, Switzerland), has been approved by the European Community (CE) and by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in high blood pressure patients who have not been controlled through the use of any type of medicine in the angiotensin receptor blocker or calcium channel blocker classes, and for patients who have experienced dose-limiting side effects on either type of medicine. These include amlodipine-induced edema (swelling), dizziness, or flushing.

"High blood pressure continues to be a major public health issue in the U.S. Many patients will require multiple medications to achieve blood pressure control,” said cardiologist Bertram Pitt, M.D., FACC, and a Professor of Medicine Emeritus at the University of Michigan School of Medicine (Ann Arbor, USA). "This new treatment offers great efficacy and improved convenience with a single tablet that will simplify treatment for patients.”


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