FIXED LOW-DOSE DRUG-COMBINATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION

The goal of treating hypertension is to maximize therapeutic efficacy without untoward side effects. The accepted approach is to start treat ment with a low dose of a single drug and then titrate it upward as ne eded to achieve a better therapeutic effect. However, higher doses of administered individual drugs increase the frequency and severity of s ide effects. A rational combination of individual drugs administered i n low doses is preferable because it is associated with a high degree of efficacy, low incidence or severity of side effects, and high patie nt compliance. The most commonly used drug combinations are as follows : (1) diuretics with potassium-sparing agents; (2) beta-adrenergic blo ckers with diuretics; (3) angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors wit h diuretics; (4) angiotensin II receptor blockers with diuretics; and (5) angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors with calcium-channel bloc kers.