Now, 3-in-1 pill to regulate BP

Studies indicate that patients generally have to take several pills at different times of the day, in order to bring high blood pressure readings down to a controllable level.

The combo pill that combines doses of three medicines to regulate blood pressure may prove to be a boon to those suffering from the condition, since elevated blood pressure levels is a risk factor for stroke and coronary heart disease.

"High blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for stroke and in fact 40% of all strokes could be avoided if more people took steps to control their blood pressure through healthy lifestyle changes or medication," said Dr Sharlin Ahmed Research Liaison Officer at The Stroke Association.

The combo pill
The super pill called Sevicar HCT made by Daiichi-Sankyo contains olmesartan medoxomil (OLM), long-acting selective angiotensin II receptor blocker; amlodipine (AML), a calcium channel blocker; and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a diuretic.

All the three drugs help in lowering blood pressure in different ways.

People with hypertension often need other drugs such as statins to control cholesterol. If they forget to take all the medications correctly and at the right time, they can suffer health problems.

Sevicar HCT, costing just 26p, can now be prescribed as a new option treatment for patients with hypertension who have already taken the drugs individually to regulate their blood pressure.

Ahmed stated, "Many people with high blood pressure are required to take multiple pills every day to reduce their blood pressure and therefore reduce their risk of stroke, but calculating when each pill needs to be taken can often be confusing.

"Combining the pills into one could make taking the medication much simpler.

"However, it's important to note that this pill might not be suitable for everyone and it may have side effects so every patient should be assessed and treated on an individual basis."