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Fixed-combination therapies in hypertension management: focus on enalapril/lercanidipine

Giuliano Tocci1, Francesca Palano, Erika Pagannone

  • 1Division of Cardiology, II Faculty of Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa, 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy. giuliano.tocci@uniroma1.it

Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy
|February 13, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Achieving blood pressure control is vital for reducing cardiovascular and renal risks. Fixed-dose combination therapies, like angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium-channel blockers, improve patient adherence and cardiovascular protection in hypertension management.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nephrology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Hypertension guidelines emphasize blood pressure control to mitigate cardiovascular and renal morbidity/mortality.
  • Current blood pressure control rates are suboptimal, especially in high-risk hypertensive patients.
  • Combination therapies, particularly fixed-dose combinations, are recommended for improved hypertension management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of fixed-dose combination therapy in hypertension treatment.
  • To focus on a specific emerging fixed-dose combination of a calcium-channel blocker (lercanidipine) and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (enalapril).
  • To assess the potential impact on cardiovascular risk and patient adherence.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature and guidelines on hypertension management.
  • Focus on fixed-dose combination therapies, specifically angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/calcium-channel blocker combinations.
  • Evaluation of a new-generation dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker (lercanidipine) with enalapril.

Main Results:

  • Fixed-dose combination therapies, especially those administered once daily, can improve medication compliance and adherence.
  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and calcium-channel blocker combinations are effective, safe, and well-tolerated.
  • This specific combination shows potential for beneficial impact on cardiovascular risk reduction.

Conclusions:

  • Fixed-dose combination therapy is a valuable strategy for improving blood pressure control and patient adherence in hypertension.
  • The combination of lercanidipine and enalapril represents a promising option for effective and well-tolerated hypertension management.
  • This approach may enhance cardiovascular and renal protection in hypertensive patients.

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