risks may outweigh the benefits of a combination of blood pressure medications
A study confirms that drugs are effective when taken individually create problems when combined
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Translated to English: Tuesday, March 22, 2011
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TUESDAY, March 22 (HealthDay News / HolaDoctor) - A team Canadian researchers warn that many older people faced with hypertension were being improperly prescribing unnecessary drugs to a combination of blood pressure.
addition, they warn, the dual protocol, which is often offered without justification, can have serious consequences, including increased risk of kidney failure and even death.
The two types of drugs in question are inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and receptor blockers blockers (ARBs).
The study team stressed that, by themselves, each is well established and highly effective in controlling blood pressure. Also, a small number of people, those diagnosed with a blood pressure problem related to left ventricular systolic function, you might get some additional benefits if they take these medications at once, they said.
However, most older adults do not need both drugs, according to the researchers argue, particularly if one takes into account the recent recommendation that in general there is more to lose than win.
"No wonder the use of this combination of agents is often not based on guidelines, as is often assumed that if two drugs alone is beneficial, the combination of the two must be even more beneficial, "said Dr. Finlay A. McAlister, lead author of the study, the division of general internal medicine Mazanowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada.
However, McAlister noted that research has indicated that it does not mix with ACE inhibitors and ARBs, and the new study "confirms the risks of this combination." The study findings appear in the March 21 edition of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
participated in the study
32.312 people, all over 65, taking only ACE inhibitor, an ARB or a combination of both.
The team noted that between about five percent of those taking both drugs, the vast majority, 86 percent had no condition to justify the combined regimen.
also found that patients using combination therapy did not meet at exactly the regime, most had stopped taking the medication within three months, even in the absence of major illness or serious side effects. The researchers speculated that the emergence of low blood pressure was the main reason for abandoning the routine.
was found that those who continued with the protocol of two drugs were more likely to experience end-stage renal disease or kidney failure or death than those taking either of the two drugs.
Dr. Bryan Henry, an assistant professor of medicine at Finger Lakes Cardiology Associates Medical Center, University of Rochester in New York, expressed little surprise with the findings.
"Every year there is more evidence that the combination does nothing or it may be harmful," said Henry. "It could be useful for a small subset of patients. But in general, these drugs should not be combined."
"However, the readers," stressed immediately Henry, "should not think that each individual medication is safe and effective. The problem lies in the combination."
Dr. Gregg C. Fonarow, a cardiology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, is hoping that the medical community will hear about the apparent risks of combining the two drugs.
"Several trials have failed to show additional benefits of taking both drugs together. Also generally not recommended combination treatment guidelines," he said. "So, really surprised that so many patients received anyway."
"However, it is an opportunity for that physicians are aware of the risks outweigh the benefits for patients, "Fonarow added." It is certainly a risk that must be avoided. "
Article by HealthDay
HispaniCare SOURCES: Finlay A. McAlister , MD, division of general internal medicine and Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Gregg C. Fonarow, MD, professor, cardiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Bryan Henry, MD, assistant professor, medicine, Finger Lakes Cardiology Associates, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, March 21, 2011, Canadian Medical Association Journal
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risks may outweigh the benefits of a combination of blood pressure medications: MedlinePlus
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