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Compliance and persistence with newer antihypertensive agents
1Worldwide Human Health Outcomes Research, Merck & Co., Inc., One Merck Drive, WS2E-65, PO Box 100, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889-0100, USA. william_gerth@merck.com
Current Hypertension Reports
|November 7, 2002
Summary
Patients with hypertension who start treatment with angiotensin II antagonists are more likely to continue their medication due to better tolerability. This persistence ensures sustained blood pressure reduction and improved health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Antihypertensive medication adherence is crucial for managing hypertension.
- Drug tolerability significantly impacts patient persistence with therapy.
- Differences in tolerability exist across various antihypertensive drug classes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the tolerability and persistence of angiotensin II antagonists compared to other antihypertensive classes.
- To assess the impact of angiotensin II antagonists on patient adherence to hypertension treatment.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of postmarket surveillance studies.
- Review of medical and prescription database studies.
- Examination of medication discontinuation rates in long-term clinical trials, including the LIFE and RENAAL trials.
Main Results:
- Angiotensin II antagonists demonstrate excellent tolerability.
- Patients initiating treatment with angiotensin II antagonists show higher persistence rates.
- Landmark trials (LIFE, RENAAL) confirm high tolerability and persistence with losartan.
Conclusions:
- Angiotensin II antagonists are a well-tolerated class of antihypertensives.
- Improved patient persistence with angiotensin II antagonists can lead to better long-term blood pressure management.
- Clinical benefits of angiotensin II antagonists extend beyond blood pressure reduction alone.