Telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide single-pill combination in the treatment of hypertension in elderly patients

摘要

Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker that differs from others in its class owing to its unique pharmacologic properties, such as high lipophilicity and a long elimination half-life. It is the only angiotensin II receptor blocker indicated for the prevention of cardiovascular morbidity (such as myocardial infarction or stroke in patients with atherothrombotic disease or diabetes with end-organ damage), as well as hypertension. It provides sustained 24-h blood pressure control with once-daily dosing. Combination with hydrochlorothiazide provides additional antihypertensive effect in patients who are unable to achieve target blood pressure with either monotherapy. A single-pill combination simplifies dosing, is well tolerated, encourages adherence and is proportionally cheaper, thus providing an effective therapeutic option for the treatment of elderly hypertensive patients.