Efficacy and safety of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker/calcium channel blocker combination therapy for hypertension: focus on a single-pill fixed-dose combination of valsartan and amlodipine.

Adequate lowering of blood pressure reduces the risk of hypertension-induced cardiovascular events. Worldwide, blood pressure is not optimally controlled and more effective management is needed. The efficacy and tolerability of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) have led to their widespread use. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are highly effective antihypertensives and amlodipine has a long half-life in the circulation. The combination of an ARB with a CCB as a single-pill, fixed-dose treatment is emerging as possibly the best therapy for preventing cardiovascular disease. Although many kinds of ARB are used in such combinations, amlodipine is mainly used as the CCB. Thus, differences in safety and efficacy among single-pill ARB/CCBs depend mainly on the ARB. Not all ARBs have the same effects and some of these may be molecular (or differential) rather than class (or common) effects. This review discusses the safety and efficacy of ARB/CCB combination therapy, with particular focus on a single-pill, fixed-dose combination of valsartan/amlodipine.