A one pill solution for high blood pressure

High blood pressure puts you at serious risk for heart attacks, heart failure, strokes and kidney failure. Fortunately, medications can help you successfully manage your blood pressure. But more than 70% of people with high blood pressure need more than one class of blood pressure medication to fully control the condition.

Not taking your medications consistently is the most common reason for uncontrolled blood pressure. In fact, 84% of people with uncontrolled high blood pressure are not consistently taking their medications correctly, and even 45% of those with controlled high blood pressure are not always taking their medications as directed.

The most common classes of blood pressure medications are beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE-inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and diuretics. Fortunately, many of them are available in single-pill combination form – meaning you only need to take one pill instead of two or more.

So, for example, if you are taking an ACE-inhibitor, such as lisinopril, and a diuretic, such as hydrochlorothiazide, you could take one combination pill that combines those two ingredients.

Combination pills are especially beneficial for people who:

• Have difficulty remembering to take their pills
• Have trouble getting refills
• Take multiple other medications
• Are on fixed incomes and could benefit from one co-pay instead of two
• Would benefit psychologically from taking one less pill

One downside of a combination pill is that it can sometimes be trickier to determine which ingredient is causing a side effect. So, if you have a history of experiencing medication side effects, this might not be the best option for you.

It’s critical to work closely with your health care provider and pharmacist on whether switching to a combination pill is right for you and to make sure that the timing and instructions are clear so you can effectively manage your blood pressure.

Dr. John Brill is a family medicine physician and the vice president of population health sciences & research at Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. 

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