Efficacy and safety of triple drug fixed-dose combination of telmisartan, amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide in the management of hypertension

Background: High blood pressure (BP) is the most prevalent chronic disease in India and its prevalence is rapidly increasing among urban and rural populations. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of triple drug fixed dose combination of Telmisartan 40 mg, Amlodipine 5 mg and Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5mg. Methods: 30 hypertensive patients having systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100 mmHg who were uncontrolled on dual drug therapy with Telmisartan-Amlodipine or Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide combinations were enrolled in this study. The treatment period was of 120 days and patients were administered once daily fixed dose combination of Telmisartan 40 mg, Amlodipine 5 mg and Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg. Patients were evaluated on 30th, 60th and 120th days of treatment. Results: There was statistically significant (p<0.0001) decrease in systolic blood pressure from baseline to 30th, 60th and 120th day of treatment mean±SD (157.0±8.68 mmHg vs 148.7±8.19, 137.3±7.84, and 127.0±7.02 mmHg) respectively. Similarly the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was significantly (p<0.0001) reduced from the baseline to the 30th, 60th and 120th day of treatment (100.0±6.43 mmHg vs. 96.0±6.21, 86.6±6.06 and 80.6±2.53 mmHg respectively). Conclusion: Thus triple drug fixed dose combination of Telmisartan, Amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide was found to be effective and safe option for the optimal management of hypertension.

Dehydration: Need For an Improved Rehydrating Energy Drink

Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is the cornerstone treatment for managing dehydration. However, ORT cannot “halt” the underlying intestinal fluid loss, a significant mechanism of infectious organisms responsible for causing diarrhea. Reports have demonstrated the role of calcium in treating contagious diarrhea through the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), which is absent in oral rehydration solution (ORS).  CaSR is a novel target that has demonstrated its effectiveness in treating diarrhea. CaSR is activated by a simple calcium agonist, an easily accessible, inexpensive, and safe-to-use option in the pediatric population. Adding nutrients would be simple and may increase the efficacy of the current ORS treatment. Maltodextrin (MDs) over glucose in ORS has shown benefits in these patients as the osmolality of MDs is significantly lower than that of disaccharide sugars. Thus, adding multivitamins, nutrients, and energy boosters to WHO- ORS may improve the efficacy of ORS in treating diarrhea, reducing malnutrition, and providing energy to curb fatigue

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of oral olmesartan + chlorthalidone combination in the management of hypertension in Indian patients

Background: Hypertension is a major health problem in India. Being a multifactorial condition often requires the administration of multiple drugs. Despite improvements in the management of hypertension and the availability of effective antihypertensive agents, only 50% of these individuals achieve BP control. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of, fixed dose combination of olmesartan 40 mg + chlorthalidone 12.5 mg, in the management of hypertension uncontrolled with olmesartan monotherapy.Methods: 110 patients were enrolled in this Post-Marketing Surveillance (PMS) study. Patients were prescribed to take fixed dose combination for 60 days.Results: There was significant decrease (P 60 years and <60 years achieved the Joint National Committee (JNC VIII) recommended goal respectively. (<150/90 for elder patients aged above 60 year and 140/90 for those aged less than 60 years).Conclusion: Thus fixed dose combination therapy of olmesartan & chlorthalidone has been shown to be excellent in efficacy and tolerability & gives another option for the optimal management of hypertension.