AIIMS Doctors Discover New Drug Combination for Hypertension Treatment

A landmark study in India, conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in partnership with Imperial College London, Centre for Chronic Disease Control NGO, and other researchers has reported very encouraging results.

AIIMS Doctors Finds Best Combos for Hypertension Treatment

The clinical trial, dubbed TOPSPIN, or Treatment Optimisation for Blood Pressure with Single-Pill Combinations in India, is the first that focuses on testing the best drug combinations to manage high blood pressure for Indian patients.

Why the Study Matters

High blood pressure is on the rise in India, but international treatment recommendations rarely take into account the specific needs of Indian patients. This study bridges that gap by testing three of the most commonly used two-drug combinations, or single-pill combinations (SPCs), in the treatment of high blood pressure:

1.Amlodipine/Perindopril
2. Perindopril/Indapamide
3. Amlodipine/Indapamide

These combinations were chosen for their track record in lowering blood pressure and lessening heart-related complications, as shown in international studies.

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Why Single-Pill Combinations WIN

Single-pill combinations carry quite a few advantages over their single counterparts, including quicker and more effective control of blood pressure, reducing the number of adverse events, and simplifying dosing. This enhances patient compliance, which is the cornerstone of long-term hypertension management.

How the Study Was Performed

It employed robust, randomized, single-blind methodology across patients from India, and the patients were either on no blood pressure medication or on a single antihypertensive drug. The drugs were initiated at low doses and titrated upward over six months to ensure comprehensive assessment of efficacy and tolerability.

Challenges and Limitations

The study faced challenges in recruiting participants, as many patients with mild hypertension are treated in smaller clinics, not large hospitals where research typically occurs. Additionally, logistical constraints limited the trial to specific combinations, excluding options like beta-blockers. Due to funding limitations, the study focused on immediate blood pressure reduction rather than long-term heart health outcomes.

Implications for Indian Healthcare

This is the first trial ever to focus exclusively on treatment of hypertension for Indian patients. Its results now open the doors to customized hypertension guidelines that are more effective and accessible to millions. By optimizing the combination of drugs, it holds promise to reform the management of hypertension in India: this is a critical public health challenge.