Perindopril arginine + amlodipine for the treatment of hypertension in the USA.

Introduction: Controlling blood pressure is a global health priority; single-pill combinations of antihypertensive agents are often prescribed to improve adherence, persistence, and outcomes.

Areas Covered: A novel preparation of perindopril arginine and amlodipine besylate was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration on 21 Jan 2015, based primarily on a 837-subject, 6-week, randomized, multicenter, prospective, clinical trial. The maximal marketed dose of the combination (14/10 mg daily) lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly more than either monotherapy, with a reduction in adverse effects (especially ankle edema), compared to amlodipine alone.

Association between alcohol use and cardiovascular self-care behaviors among male hypertensive Veterans Affairs outpatients: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Alcohol use is associated with health behaviors that impact cardiovascular outcomes in patients with hypertension, including avoiding salt, exercising, weight management, and not smoking. This study examined associations between varying levels of alcohol use and self-reported cardiovascular health behaviors among hypertensive Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatients.

Methods: Male outpatients with self-reported hypertension from 7 VA sites who returned mailed questionnaires (N = 11,927) were divided into 5 levels of alcohol use: nondrinking, low-level use, and mild, moderate, and severe alcohol misuse based on AUDIT-C (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption) scores (0, 1-3, 4-5, 6-7, and 8-12, respectively).