Abstract
Although the need for combination therapy of hypertension was obvious from the early intervention trials, administration of such therapy as fixed-dose or single-pill combinations has only reached general acceptance in recent years. The main reason for this change of mind documented in the recommendation of using single-pill combinations in almost every recent hypertension guideline is our increasing knowledge about non-adherence to drug therapy. In the multifactorial origin of non-adherence, the complexity of therapy, especially in elderly patients with comorbidities and polypharmacy, has been identified as a major factor involved. So an important rule in hypertension treatment, and maybe in drug therapy in general, is to keep things as simple as possible.
Transparency
Declaration of funding
This editorial was not funded.
Declaration of financial/other relationships
R.D. has disclosed that he has no significant relationships with or financial interests in any commercial companies related to this study or article. R.D received honoraria for giving lectures on the topic of compliance and single pill combinations for Novartis, UCB and Berlin Chemie.