ALPHA(1)-BLOCKER COMBINATION THERAPY FOR HYPERTENSION - AN OPTION TO TRY WHEN TRADITIONAL METHODS FAIL

It's not unusual for a patient with hypertension, even when disease is only mild or moderate, to have an inadequate response to single-drug therapy. Use of an antihypertensive combination can enhance and prolon g the blood pressure-lowering effect. In addition, it may improve tole rability and, thus, compliance. In this article, Dr Houston discusses how to select combinations of antihypertensive drugs for the most salu tary outcome, focusing on alpha, blockers, which are among the newer a gents that may have beneficial effects on same cardiovascular risk fac tors without exacerbating coexisting conditions.