Use of an olmesartan medoxomil-based treatment algorithm for hypertension control

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pharmacology
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Hypertension management typically involves a stepped-care approach, initiating treatment with one drug and adding others as needed.
• Assessing the efficacy of specific antihypertensive algorithms is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a stepped-care antihypertensive treatment algorithm using olmesartan medoxomil as the initial agent.
• To determine the proportion of patients achieving target blood pressure goals within a 24-week period.

Main Methods:

• A 24-week, open-label trial involving 201 patients with elevated diastolic blood pressure (90-109 mm Hg).
• Patients initially received olmesartan medoxomil 20 mg/d, with subsequent dose titration or addition of hydrochlorothiazide and amlodipine besylate based on blood pressure readings.
• Patients achieving goal blood pressure (< or =130/85 mm Hg) exited the study early.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in blood pressure (33.7/18.2 mm Hg) were observed from baseline to Week 24.
• 87.7% of patients reached the target blood pressure of < or =130/85 mm Hg, and 93.3% achieved < or =140/90 mm Hg.
• More than 60% of patients required the addition of a thiazide diuretic or both a thiazide diuretic and a calcium channel blocker to achieve blood pressure goals.

Conclusions:

• An antihypertensive treatment algorithm initiating with olmesartan medoxomil effectively controlled blood pressure in the majority of patients.
• Combination therapy, including thiazide diuretics and calcium channel blockers, was frequently necessary to achieve target blood pressure levels.
• This stepped-care approach demonstrates the utility of olmesartan medoxomil in a multi-drug hypertension management strategy.