Polypill achieved large BP, cholesterol reductions in older patients
A pill containing three BP-lowering medications and a statin was associated with large reductions in BP and cholesterol in adults aged 50 years and older, according to results of a randomized trial.
Dubbed the “polypill,” the tablet contains amlodipine 2.5 mg, losartan 25 mg, hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg and simvastatin 40 mg.
This is the first trial to examine the effects of the polypill for primary prevention of CVD in those selected based on age alone (>50 years), according to David S. Wald, MD, of Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, London, and colleagues.
The randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial included 86 adults aged 50 years and older without a history of CVD. Each participant took the polypill for 3 months and a placebo for 3 months in random sequence. Eighty four of the 86 participants completed both treatment periods.
Mean systolic BP was reduced by 17.9 mm Hg (95% CI, 15.7-20.1), diastolic BP by 9.8 mm Hg (95% CI, 8.1-11.5) and LDL by 1.4 mmol/L (95% CI, 1.2-1.6), yielding reductions of 12%, 11% and 39%, respectively, according to the abstract. The levels achieved are typical of those aged about 20 years, the researchers said.
“The health implications of our results are large. If people took the polypill from age 50, an estimated 28% would benefit by avoiding or delaying a heart attack or stroke during their lifetime; on average, those who benefit would gain 11 years of life without a heart attack or stroke,” Wald stated in the release.
Disclosure: Cipla provided the polypill and placebo to the specification of the trial investigators; Barts and the London Charity provided financial support. Nicholas J. Wald, FRS, FRCP, jointly holds European and Canadian patents for a combination pill for the prevention of CVD (pending in United States) and together with David S. Wald, MD, has an interest in its development.