Are fixed-dose combination formulations of antihypertensive drugs suitablefor initial therapy of hypertensive disease?

Advantages of the use of fixed-dose combinations of antihypertensive drugs for initial treatment of hypertensive disease instead of currently recommen ded monotherapy are presented. Combination formulations allow to achieve ta rget blood pressure in more patients with mild and moderate hypertension th an monotherapy without increasing side effects. Rational and nonrational co mbinations of drugs belonging to main classes of cardiovascular drugs are d iscussed as well as results of clinical studies in which efficacy and toler ability of combinations have been assessed in patients with hypertensive di sease.