Ramipril/felodipine extended-release fixed-dose combination: a review of its use in the management of essential hypertension.

Ramipril/felodipine extended release (ER) [Triapin and Triapin Mite, Unimax] is a once-daily fixed-dose combination of the ACE inhibitor ramipril and the ER formulation of the dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist felodipine. It is indicated in adult patients with essential hypertension whose blood pressure (BP) is inadequately controlled with ramipril or felodipine monotherapy. In this patient population, commercially available fixed-dose combinations (i.e. 2.5 mg/2.5 mg and 5 mg/5 mg) of ramipril and felodipine ER are more effective at controlling hypertension than the individual components used as monotherapy at the same dosages. Likewise, the 5 mg/5 mg combination is as effective as felodipine ER 10 mg, and more effective than ramipril 10 mg administered as monotherapy. The addition of low-dose ramipril plus felodipine ER (fixed-dose or combination of individual components) to the existing antihypertensive regimen also appears to provide adequate BP control and renal protection in hypertensive patients with non-diabetic chronic renal disease. In these patients, the low-dose combination of ramipril and felodipine ER was as effective as standard-dose felodipine ER, but more effective than standard-dose ramipril, in providing diastolic BP (DBP) control, and as effective as standard-dose ramipril, but more effective than standard-dose felodipine ER, in slowing the rate of regression of glomerular filtration. The ramipril/felodipine ER combination is as well tolerated as ramipril or felodipine ER monotherapy administered at the same dosages, and is better tolerated than felodipine ER monotherapy given at twice the dosage used in the combination. Overall, ramipril/felodipine ER appears to be an effective option for the treatment of adults with essential hypertension that is poorly controlled with monotherapy. In addition, a fixed, low-dose combination of ramipril/felodipine ER is a potential alternative to monotherapy for the initial management of essential hypertension.