Results of a pilot pharmacotherapy quality improvement program using fixed-dose, combination amlodipine/benazepril antihypertensive therapy in a long-term care setting.

Background: Hypertension is common in older adults (aged > or =65 years). Treatment frequently requires multiple medications and can be expensive.

Objective: This study measured the impact of substituting low-dose, fixed-combination therapy using the calcium channel blocker (CCB) amlodipine and the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor benazepril for high-dose CCB monotherapy or dual therapy with a CCB and an ACE inhibitor on antihypertensive drug costs, the incidence of adverse events, and blood-pressure control.