Atorvastatin calcium plus amlodipine for the treatment of hypertension

Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2012 Dec;13(18):2673-85. doi: 10.1517/14656566.2012.742064. Epub 2012 Nov 10.

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension (HTN) and dyslipemia (DYL) are two of the major modifiable cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, determinants in the development of cerebrovascular and coronary heart disease (CHD). Many patients have both risk factors which increase their total CV risk compared with patients with only one risk factor. Treatment guideline recommendations are poorly implemented in real practice, in part due to numerous and complicated drug regimes which hamper patient´s adherence.

Areas covered: In this article the authors describe the first combined fixed-dose pill of an antihypertensive and a lipid-lowering agent, the single-pill combination of amlodipine besylate and atorvastatin calcium (SPAA). They summarize the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of both compounds and the main randomized clinical studies, as well as real-world observational studies, made with the new combined formulation.

Expert opinion: The use of the single-pill amlodipine and atorvastatin is an adequate option for the clinician to treat hypertensive patients with DYL or high CV risk burden, with proven efficacy, tolerability, cost-effectiveness, and the advantage of improving patient treatment compliance.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amlodipine / adverse effects
  • Amlodipine / pharmacokinetics
  • Amlodipine / therapeutic use*
  • Antihypertensive Agents / adverse effects
  • Antihypertensive Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Atorvastatin
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / adverse effects
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacokinetics
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / therapeutic use
  • Drug Combinations
  • Dyslipidemias / epidemiology
  • Dyslipidemias / prevention & control
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Heptanoic Acids / adverse effects
  • Heptanoic Acids / pharmacokinetics
  • Heptanoic Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Hypertension / drug therapy*
  • Pyrroles / adverse effects
  • Pyrroles / pharmacokinetics
  • Pyrroles / therapeutic use*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Drug Combinations
  • Heptanoic Acids
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Pyrroles
  • amlodipine, atorvastatin drug combination
  • Amlodipine
  • Atorvastatin