Study Advocates Dual Half-Dose Pill for Better Blood Pressure Control in Indians

Quick summary

• A recent study published in Nature Medicine recommends initiating hypertension treatment with half doses of two drugs in a single-pill combination for South Asian patients.
• The multi-centre study, conducted across 32 sites in India, assessed the safety and efficacy of three dual-drug combinations on nearly 2,000 adults aged 30-79 with uncontrolled or untreated hypertension.
• Tested combinations were:

– Amlodipine + Perindopril
– Perindopril + Indapamide
– Amlodipine + Indapamide

• All three drug combinations delivered equivalent blood pressure reductions and had high tolerability with minor side effects over six months.
• Severe side effects such as cough, foot swelling, and potassium imbalance were rare and not statistically significant across subgroups.
• Researchers emphasized starting treatment with low doses of two drugs to ensure better control while avoiding polypharmacy. Further titration or additional drugs might potentially be required only if BP levels remain dissatisfied (<140/90 mmHg).
• The study stresses poor hypertension control in India-only about 20% of urban patients are treated successfully-and urges leveraging IndiaS pharmaceutical capabilities to make treatments accessible via public systems.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This pivotal research adapts global standards for hypertension to the specific needs of Indian patients, highlighting locally tailored solutions in public health. The recommendation for single-pill dual therapy could streamline treatment protocols while improving patient adherence by simplifying medication regimens-a key hurdle given widespread reluctance toward starting medications. Moreover, its focus on mild initial dosing may alleviate concerns about side effects among new patients.Hypertension remains a critical health challenge for India due to inadequate control levels-especially pronounced in rural areas-with significant implications for cardiovascular diseases like stroke. addressing this gap through cost-efficient pharmaceutical strategies (e.g., pooled procurement) could enhance access while reducing public burden from related complications. Continued nationwide implementation combined with robust physician awareness could dramatically impact long-term outcomes.For further details: Read more