Safety and effectiveness of a fixed-dose combination of olmesartan, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide in clinical practice

Single-Pill Combination with Three Antihypertensive Agents to Improve Blood Pressure Control in Hypertension: Focus on Olmesartan-Based Combinations

Blood pressure control remains an unmet clinical need. Only about half of patients achieve their blood pressure (BP) targets and of these, the majority require combination and double or triple therapies. International guidelines recommend the association of drugs with complementary mechanisms of action and, in particular, the combination of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), and diuretics. Among the various angiotensin receptor blockers, olmesartan (OM) is available as a monotherapy and in dual and triple single-pill combinations (SPCs) with amlodipine (AML) and/or hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Several phase III and IV studies, together with real-world studies, have demonstrated the additional benefits of combining OM either with AML or with HCTZ in terms of BP control and target BP achievements both in the general population and in special subgroups of hypertensive patients, such as the elderly, diabetic, chronic kidney disease or obese patients. Ambulatory BP monitoring studies assessing 24h BP have also demonstrated that dual, as well as triple, OM-based SPCs induce a more sustained and smoother BP reduction than placebo and monotherapy. Furthermore, triple OM-based SPC has been shown to improve therapeutic adherence in hypertensive patients compared to free combinations. The availability of OM combined with HCTZ, AML or both at different dosages makes it a valuable option to customize therapy based on the levels of BP and the clinical characteristics of hypertensive patients.

Real-world evidence on the strategy of olmesartan-based triple single-pill combination in Korean hypertensive patients: a prospective, multicenter, observational study (RESOLVE-PRO)

Background

In this prospective, multicenter, non-comparative observational study, the effectiveness and safety of the triple single-pill combination (SPC) of olmesartan/amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide (OM/AML/HCTZ) were evaluated in a real clinical practice setting in Korean patients with essential hypertension.

Methods

A total of 3752 patients were enrolled and followed for 12 months after administration of OM/AML/HCTZ. Primary endpoint was change from baseline to month 6 in the mean systolic blood pressure (SBP). Secondary endpoints included changes from baseline in the mean SBP at month 3, 9, 12 and the mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at month 3, 6, 9, 12; changes in the mean SBP/DBP according to age and underlying risk factors; and blood pressure control rate (%) at different time points. Adherence to and satisfaction with OM/AML/HCTZ treatment among patients and physicians were assessed by medication possession ratio (MPR) and numeric rating scale, respectively, as exploratory endpoints. Safety was evaluated by the incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs) as well as the discontinuation rate due to AEs.

Results

OM/AML/HCTZ administration led to significant reductions in the mean SBP/DBP by 11.5/6.6, 12.3/7.0, 12.3/7.2, and 12.8/7.4 mmHg from baseline to month 3, 6, 9 and 12, respectively (P < 0.0001). The BP reductions were maintained throughout the 1-year observation period in all patients with different age groups and risk factors (diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and renal disease). The BP control rate (%) of < 140/90 mmHg was 65.9, 67.9, 68.9, and 70.6% at month 3, 6, 9, and 12, respectively. The mean MPR during the observation period was 0.96. The safety results were consistent with the previously reported safety profile of OM/AML/HCTZ.

Conclusions

Treatment with the triple SPC of OM/AML/HCTZ demonstrated significant effectiveness in reducing SBP/DBP and achieving target BP control with high adherence over the 1-year observation period in Korean hypertensive patients and was well-tolerated.

Trial registration

CRIS, KCT0002196, Registered 3 May 2016.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40885-021-00177-z.

Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of a Single-Pill Combination of Olmesartan/Amlodipine/Hydrochlorothiazide in Korean Patients with Essential Hypertension (RESOLVE): A Large, Observational, Retrospective, Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The efficacy and safety of a single-pill combination (SPC) of olmesartan/amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide (OLM/AML/HCTZ) have been established previously through multiple studies. However, the real-world data in Korean patients are still limited. This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of SPC of OLM/AML/HCTZ in a real practice setting in Korean patients with essential hypertension.

METHODS

This was an observational, retrospective, multi-center, non-comparative cohort study. Medical records of 9749 patients with essential hypertension who had been prescribed OLM/AML/HCTZ within 1 year of the study were analyzed. The primary outcome was the achievement rate (%) of the target blood pressure goal of a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of < 140 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of < 90 mmHg following administration of OLM/AML/HCTZ. The secondary outcomes included the rate of BP control measured at each visit, the amount of BP reduction compared to the index date, and the prescribing patterns of OLM/AML/HCTZ. Safety and tolerability were assessed by the incidence rate of adverse events (AEs) and discontinuation.

RESULTS

In the effectiveness analysis set (n = 9604), the overall achievement rate of target BP was 82.56%. The mean SBP/DBP was significantly reduced compared to baseline at all visits (all p < 0.0001), with the greatest reduction occurring at week 2. The achievement rate of target BP was above 71%, regardless of the presence of risk factors (diabetes mellitus, DM; cardiovascular disease, CVD; chronic kidney disease, CKD). Patients with CVD and aged > 65 years showed a significantly higher achievement rate (p < 0.05). A significant relationship existed between the primary outcome and age (p < 0.0001). The achievement rate exceeded 74% in all different age groups. In the safety analysis set (n = 9661), AEs were reported in 8.46% of patients, with the most frequent AE being dizziness. Serious adverse events (SAEs) and unexpected adverse events (UAEs) occurred in 0.96% and 3.73% patients, respectively. This was consistent with the previously reported safety profile of OLM/AML/HCTZ. The majority of AEs were mild to moderate and resolved during the observation period. The discontinuation rate of OLM/AML/HCTZ due to AEs was 1.67%.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated significant effectiveness of OLM/AML/HCTZ in achieving target BP in Korean patients with essential hypertension. OLM/AML/HCTZ was well tolerated.

Triple Combination Therapies Based on Olmesartan: A Personalized Therapeutic Approach to Improve Blood Pressure Control

Recent epidemiological surveys have demonstrated that effective and sustained blood pressure (BP) control is achieved in a relatively small proportion of treated hypertensive patients. Indeed, treatment of hypertension represents a key strategy for preventing coronary artery disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and cardiovascular death. Several interventions have been proposed by international guidelines for ameliorating hypertension management and control, mostly including integrated and multi-dimensional pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies. In particular, numerous evidence demonstrated that a more extensive use of combination therapy may represent a valid therapeutic option for treating hypertensive patients at different risk profile. This strategy has been definitely strengthened by the availability of single pill fixed-dose combinations. Among potential combination therapies, those based on the association of renin-angiotensin system antagonists, thiazide diuretics and calcium channel blockers are very effective in lowering BP levels and well tolerated. We will provide here an overview of clinical evidence supporting the use of triple combination therapy, with a focus on that based on olmesartan medoxomil, a thiazide diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide) and a calcium channel blocker (amlodipine besylate), which is available in multiple dosages. Finally, in view of the recognised importance of single-pill combination therapy for treating hypertension, we will examine the potential benefits of dual (fixed) combination therapy based on olmesartan medoxomil with either thiazide diuretic hydrochlorothiazide or calcium channel blocker amlodipine in terms of efficacy, safety and tolerability profile.

Management of Hypertension Using Olmesartan Alone or in Combination

Hypertension is one of the most significant and consistent risk factors for many cardiovascular diseases. The global prevalence of hypertension has dramatically increased over recent years. Life-style and genetic factors are generally considered to be primarily responsible for the incidence of hypertension. Concerning the high morbidity rate, setting up an updated standard for hypertensive patients becomes indispensable. According to the widely accepted standard treatments for hypertension, these four basic principles should be taken into account: low dosage; medication should provide long term-control; combination therapies are becoming common; personalized treatments are a newer approach. In most patients with hypertension, adequate control of BP can be achieved with combined therapy. Therefore, antihypertensive agents with complementary mechanisms are now recommended. In this review, we focus on the pharmacology, antihypertensive efficacy, and adverse events (AEs) of olmesartan medoxomil, either alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medications. In conclusion, olmesartan medoxomil, is an angiotensin II receptor blocker with an excellent efficacy in the reduction and stabilization of blood pressure. When combined with calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and diuretics, olmesartan medoxomil has a better effect on controlling BP and reducing AEs in patients.

Triple-combination therapy in the treatment of hypertension: a review of the evidence

Hypertension is a serious public health concern with inadequate control of blood pressure (BP) worldwide. Contributing factors include low efficacy of drugs, underuse of combination therapies, irrational combinations, physicians' therapeutic inertia and poor adherence to treatment. Current guidelines recommend the use of initial (dual) combination therapy in high-risk patients for immediate BP response, better short- and long-term BP control, and continued/improved patient adherence. This article aims to review the existing evidence of triple-combination therapies with respect to efficacy, safety and adherence to treatment. It is estimated that three drugs are required to achieve BP control in approximately one-fourth to one-third of patients. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have shown that triple combinations of amlodipine/valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide, amlodipine/olmesartan/hydrochlorothiazide and amlodipine/telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide produce greater BP reductions, with greater proportions of patients achieving BP control compared with dual therapies. Further evidence also demonstrates that triple-combination therapy is efficacious for moderate to severe hypertension, with substantial additional BP reduction over dual regimens. Both RCTs and post-marketing observational studies have shown consistent and comparable efficacy in both the general population and high-risk hypertensive subgroups. Triple therapies are generally well tolerated with adverse event profiles similar to dual regimens. In addition, fixed-dose combinations used as single pill improve patient adherence leading to better long-term BP control. Depending on regional circumstances, they may also be cost effective. Thus, single-pill triple combinations of different classes of drugs with complementary mechanisms of action help to treat patients to goal with improved efficacy and better adherence to treatment.