A new study from the University of South Wales found that a new pill combining low doses of three different anti-hypertensive medications surpassed a current high standard care treatment plan using one anti-hypertensive drug for treating hypertension. The new triple combination medication, called GMRx2, aims to address the issue of pill burden that many hypertension patients face due to needing to take multiple medications daily. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), involved about 300 Black African participants with uncontrolled hypertension in Nigeria. Half of the participants received the GMRx2 combination pill, while the other half received the standard care treatment plan recommended by the Nigerian Ministry of Health. After six months of treatment, those taking the GMRx2 combination pill had a significantly lower systolic blood pressure compared to those following standard care protocols.
The GMRx2 combination pill combines low doses of three anti-hypertensive medications: telmisartan, amlodipine, and indapamide, in a once-daily pill. The pill aims to increase efficacy while minimizing side effects by using multiple mechanisms of action at low doses. Researchers found that after one month, 81% of study participants taking the GMRx2 pill achieved clinic-measured blood pressure control, compared to 55% of those following standard care for hypertension. By the end of the six-month study, 82% of those taking the GMRx2 pill had achieved blood pressure control, compared to 72% of those receiving standard treatment. These results suggest that the new combination pill is effective in reducing blood pressure and improving control among patients with high blood pressure.
The study also found that the participants taking the GMRx2 combination pill had a mean reduction of 31 mmHg in home systolic blood pressure, compared to a 26 mmHg reduction in the group following standard care protocols. Research has shown that a 5 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure can lead to a 10% reduction in the risk of major cardiovascular events. The researchers noted that the new strategy of using the GMRx2 combination pill was particularly effective, even compared to a high-quality standard care treatment plan. This finding suggests that the new pill may offer significant benefits to patients with hypertension, especially in terms of reducing their pill burden and improving adherence to treatment.
The study’s authors, including Professor Anthony Rodgers from the University of New South Wales, are optimistic about the potential impact of the new GMRx2 combination pill on hypertension treatment. They are currently seeking approval from regulatory authorities and plan to make the medication available to patients as soon as possible. The next step is implementation research to guide the optimal ways to scale up this important innovation and make it accessible to patients worldwide. Dr. Nicole Weinberg, a board-certified cardiologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, noted that medications with multiple drugs in them can improve compliance by reducing the pill burden for patients with hypertension.
Dr. Jennifer Wong, a board-certified cardiologist and medical director at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute, emphasized the importance of simplifying medication regimens for hypertension patients to improve outcomes. Hypertension is often symptomless but can lead to serious consequences if left uncontrolled. Wong highlighted the significance of encouraging patients to adhere to their medication regimens and control their blood pressure effectively. Overall, the findings of the study support the use of the GMRx2 combination pill as an effective treatment option for hypertension, offering benefits in terms of reducing blood pressure and improving control while minimizing the pill burden for patients.
