Impact of angiotensin receptor blockade in combination with hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg in 2121 patients with stage 1-2 hypertension

Efficacy and tolerability of a single-pill combination of telmisartan 80 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg according to age, gender, race, hypertension severity, and previous antihypertensive use: planned analyses of a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this work was to describe the efficacy and safety of a telmisartan 80 mg + hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg (T80/H25) single-pill combination therapy in patients with moderate-severe hypertension (mean seated trough cuff systolic blood pressure [BP] ≥ 160 mmHg and diastolic BP ≥ 100 mmHg) in specific patient subpopulations.

METHODS

This was a planned analysis of a double-blind, multicenter, parallel-group trial that demonstrated the superiority of a single-pill combination of T80/H25 versus T80 monotherapy in terms of systolic BP change from baseline to week 7. Subpopulations included older (aged ≥ 65 years) versus younger, gender, race, hypertension severity, and prior antihypertensive therapy. Endpoints were change from baseline in mean seated trough cuff systolic and diastolic BP, proportion of patients achieving their BP goal (systolic/diastolic BP < 140/90 mmHg), and proportion of patients attaining systolic BP reductions of >30 mmHg and >40 mmHg.

RESULTS

Across all subgroups, the T80/H25 single-pill combination provided consistently greater systolic and diastolic BP reductions than T80 and more patients had systolic BP reductions of >30 mmHg. In the T80 and T80/H25 groups, BP control was achieved in 34.1% and 48.8% of men, 35.5% and 62.7% of women, 34.5% and 56.6% of Asians, 22.6% and 38.6% of blacks, 36.7% and 57.8% of whites, 36.9% and 57.5% of patients < 65 years, 29.3% and 49.3% ≥65 years, 44.2% and 66.2% of those with grade 2 hypertension, 20.4% and 39.4% of those with grade 3 hypertension, 38.9% and 53.2% of previously untreated patients, 38.1% and 62.5% of patients previously treated with one antihypertensive, and 29.7% and 48.9% of patients previously treated with two or more antihypertensive agents respectively. Treatment was generally well tolerated across the patient subgroups.

CONCLUSION

The T80/H25 single-pill combination provides consistent BP reductions and higher goal attainment rates versus T80 across a range of hypertensive patient subgroups, which are likely to have a positive impact on patients' cardiovascular risk.

The effects of telmisartan and amlodipine in treatment-naïve and previously treated hypertensive patients: a subanalysis from a 4 × 4 factorial design study

The subanalysis of a 4 × 4 factorial, 8-week study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of telmisartan (T) 40-80 mg/amlodipine (A) 5-10 mg used in treatment-naïve patients (n = 231) and patients previously treated with antihypertensive agents (n = 880). Similar blood pressure (BP) reductions were achieved with T + A, regardless of their pretreatment status. Highest reductions were achieved with T80 + A10 (treatment-naïve -26.5/-18.2 mm Hg and previously treated -25.6/-19.9 mm Hg). Most patients (treatment-naïve 72.4% and previously treated 77.6%), including those with added risk, achieved BP goal (<140/90 mm Hg) with T80 + A10. Tolerability was comparable in both groups.

Telmisartan 80 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg single-pill combination in the treatment of hypertension

INTRODUCTION

International guidelines emphasize the importance of blood pressure (BP) control to reduce cardiovascular risk. Telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, provides large BP reductions and also prevents cardiovascular events in patients at high risk. The thiazide diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), has a complementary mode of action, and combination with telmisartan is an established and rational treatment option for patients uncontrolled on monotherapy. A single-pill combination (SPC) of telmisartan 80 mg with high-strength HCTZ 25 mg (T80/H25) is widely available.

AREA COVERED

Clinical data on T80/H25 SPC for the management of hypertension was identified via MEDLINE searches. T80/H25 SPC provides greater BP reductions and higher goal achievement rates in patients who cannot achieve BP goal with T80/HCTZ 12.5 mg SPC, and also as initial therapy compared with T80 monotherapy. T80/H25 also reduced BP significantly more than valsartan 160 mg/H25 combination, and demonstrated favorable tolerability in clinical trials.

EXPERT OPINION

Patients with hypertension often do not achieve BP goal, even when treated, leaving them at increased cardiovascular risk. In part this is due to poor adherence, which can be exacerbated by treatment side effects. High BP goal achievement with SPC T80/H25, with maintained tolerability, provides a treatment option for increasing BP control.

Telmisartan or valsartan alone or in combination with hydrochlorothiazide: a review

The aim of this review was to compare telmisartan and valsartan in the treatment of hypertension. PubMed searches were conducted to identify randomized trials (n = 14) comparing the two agents, alone or combined with hydrochlorothiazide. With one exception, all studies with blood pressure reduction as primary endpoint showed significantly greater reductions with telmisartan than with valsartan. Other studies showed that telmisartan was associated with greater improvements in metabolic measures and inflammatory markers than valsartan. These findings suggest that pharmacologic differences between telmisartan and valsartan may translate into clinically relevant differences between the two drugs in the management of hypertension.

Efficacy and tolerability of initial therapy with single-pill combination telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/25 mg in patients with grade 2 or 3 hypertension: a multinational, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Patients with grade 2 or 3 hypertension may require high-dose combination therapy to achieve blood pressure (BP) targets in a timely manner.

OBJECTIVES

This study compared the effectiveness and tolerability of a single-pill combination (SPC) of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/25 mg (T80/H25) with T80 monotherapy.

METHODS

In a Phase IV, multinational, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled, parallel-group trial, 894 patients with mean seated trough cuff systolic BP [SBP] ≥160 mm Hg and diastolic BP [DBP] ≥100 mm Hg were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive T40/H12.5 SPC or telmisartan 40 mg monotherapy for 1 week before the dose was uptitrated to T80/H25 SPC or T80, respectively, administered for 6 weeks. The primary efficacy measure was the change from baseline in mean seated cuff trough SBP. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 888 patients received treatment (294 and 594 patients in the T80/H25 and T80 groups, respectively) (mean age, 57.0 years; age ≥65 years, 25.7%; male, 53.8%; white, 68.0%); 61 patients prematurely discontinued. Mean baseline SBP/DBP values were 172.3/104.3 mm Hg (T80/H25) and 173.3/104.5 mm Hg (T80). After 7 weeks, SBP was changed by -37.0 and -28.5 mm Hg in the T80/H25 and T80 groups (P < 0.0001); DBP was changed by -18.6 and -15.4 mm Hg respectively (P < 0.0001). These differences were significant after 2 weeks at the higher dosage (P < 0.0001). BP target (SBP/DBP <140/<90 mm Hg) was achieved in 55.5% and 34.7% of patients in the T80/H25 and T80 groups (P < 0.0001). T80/H25 SPC and T80 had a similar frequency of overall AEs (16.0% vs 17.0%). The prevalences of treatment-related AEs with T80/H25 SPC and T80 were low (4.6% and 2.8%), as were the rates of AEs that led to discontinuation (1.0% and 2.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

In these patients with grade 2 or 3 hypertension, initial therapy with T80/H25 was associated with a significantly greater reduction in mean seated cuff trough SBP compared with T80 alone, as well as with improved hypertension goal attainment rates. Both treatments appeared to be well tolerated.

What is a preferred angiotensin II receptor blocker-based combination therapy for blood pressure control in hypertensive patients with diabetic and non-diabetic renal impairment?

Hypertension has a major associated risk for organ damage and mortality, which is further heightened in patients with prior cardiovascular (CV) events, comorbid diabetes mellitus, microalbuminuria and renal impairment. Given that most patients with hypertension require at least two antihypertensives to achieve blood pressure (BP) goals, identifying the most appropriate combination regimen based on individual risk factors and comorbidities is important for risk management. Single-pill combinations (SPCs) containing two or more antihypertensive agents with complementary mechanisms of action offer potential advantages over free-drug combinations, including simplification of treatment regimens, convenience and reduced costs. The improved adherence and convenience resulting from SPC use is recognised in updated hypertension guidelines. Despite a wide choice of SPCs for hypertension treatment, clinical evidence from direct head-to-head comparisons to guide selection for individual patients is lacking. However, in patients with evidence of renal disease or at greater risk of developing renal disease, such as those with diabetes mellitus, microalbuminura and high-normal BP or overt hypertension, guidelines recommend renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blocker-based combination therapy due to superior renoprotective effects compared with other antihypertensive classes. Furthermore, RAS inhibitors attenuate the oedema and renal hyperfiltration associated with calcium channel blocker (CCB) monotherapy, making them a good choice for combination therapy. The occurrence of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor-induced cough supports the use of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) for RAS blockade rather than ACE inhibitors. In this regard, ARB-based SPCs are available in combination with the diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) or the calcium CCB, amlodipine. Telmisartan, a long-acting ARB with preferential pharmacodynamic profile compared with several other ARBs, and the only ARB with an indication for the prevention of CV disease progression, is available in two SPC formulations, telmisartan/HCTZ and telmisartan/amlodipine. Clinical studies suggest that in CV high-risk patients and those with evidence of renal disease, the use of an ARB/CCB combination may be preferred to ARB/HCTZ combinations due to superior renoprotective and CV benefits and reduced metabolic side effects in patients with concomitant metabolic disorders. However, selection of the most appropriate antihypertensive combination should be dependent on careful review of the individual patient and appropriate consideration of drug pharmacology.

Effects of Telmisartan with Hydrochlorothiazide versus Valsartan with Hydrochlorothiazide in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Hypertension

Combination therapy is recommended for patients with blood pressure (BP) significantly above goal by recent consensus guidelines around the globe. The use of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) alone or in combination with a thiazide diuretic is a preferred treatment strategy due to both efficacy and safety considerations. However, there are few data known about the benefits of ARB-diuretic combination therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe hypertension. We performed a subanalysis from two large clinical trials that compared the antihypertensive effects of telmisartan 80 mg versus valsartan 160 mg, both combined with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 25 mg in a subpopulation of 725 patients with moderate-to-severe hypertension (systolic BP SBP ≥ 160 mm Hg). Treatment with telmisartan-HCTZ induced significantly greater reductions in BP (−31.1/−18.3 mm Hg) than valsartan-HCTZ (−28.4/−16.3 mm Hg; SBP P = 0.0265, diastolic BP P = 0.0041). More patients receiving the telmisartan combination achieved a BP goal < 140/90 mm Hg than those receiving valsartan-HCTZ. There were similar safety and tolerability data for the two active treatment groups. These findings support the use of longer-acting ARBs combined with higher doses of thiazide diuretic to improve BP control in patients with moderate-to-severe hypertension.

Telmisartan for the management of patients at high cardiovascular risk

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) places a significant burden on healthcare providers. High blood pressure (BP) is the single most prevalent risk factor for CVD worldwide and is responsible for more deaths than any other risk factor. 'Cardiovascular (CV) high-risk patients' make up the broad cross-section of patients in the middle of the risk spectrum for CVD progression that is referred to as the CV continuum and includes those with atherothrombotic disease, those with target organ damage associated with type 2 diabetes and those with multiple risk factors. Angiotensin II is involved in CVD progression at every stage of the CV continuum, making the renin-angiotensin system a rational target for pharmacologic intervention. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) offer a better tolerated alternative to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, with greater long-term adherence. The ARB telmisartan recently received an indication for CV prevention.

SCOPE

A PubMed literature search was conducted to identify evidence on the use of telmisartan for preventing CV events.

FINDINGS

Telmisartan has a favourable safety and tolerability profile, and has demonstrated efficacious and long-lasting 24-hour BP reductions, whether as monotherapy or in combination with hydrochlorothiazide or amlodipine. In the largest CV prevention trial program undertaken with an ARB (the ONgoing Telmisartan Alone and in combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial; ONTARGET), telmisartan 80 mg/day alone was as effective as ramipril in reducing the composite primary endpoint of CV mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke and hospitalization for heart failure in CV high-risk patients. However, patients were significantly more likely to adhere to treatment with telmisartan than ramipril due to its better tolerability.

CONCLUSION

To date, telmisartan is the only ARB indicated to reduce CV morbidity in a broad CV high-risk population.