Why combine drugs to treat hypertension?
To treat hypertension, physicians don’t simply pick a drug from a list. They must also consider the patient’s preexisting medical problems, his age, ethnicity, and other medications, as well as the cost of medications. Approximately one third of all people suffering from hypertension can control their condition using one medication. However, most people will eventually need to use several medications at once. Here are five reasons for combining medications: • Higher doses of one medication may increase the risk of side effects. • Combining medications balances the effects on the organs being protected by treatment. • Some medical problems, such as diabetes or heart failure, improve with the use of certain medications, so these are often used even in small doses to get these benefits. • Some medications will counteract the adverse effects of another blood pressure medication. • Adding a medication may lower the pressure more than by increasing the dose.
