Last week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a blood pressure pill which combines two common blood pressure medications - valsartan and amlodipine - as first-line treatment for patients who are likely to need multiple drugs to lower their blood pressure. The FDA also approved a combination pill of valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide for initial high blood pressure therapy.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the most important but treatable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Up to 80% of people with hypertension may need multiple medications in order to help them reach their blood pressure goals. In the past, patients with hypertension were started on a single medication, and additional medications were added if blood pressure goals were not reached. Combination blood pressure pills are appealing because they decrease pill burden and reduce patient co-payments. They may also help people to achieve blood pressure control in a more timely fashion. However, despite their convenience, combination pills are not for everyone. If you are interested in a combination blood pressure pill, your doctor can advise you if these combination pills are right for you.