A growing evidence base for the fixed-dose combination of bisoprolol and amlodipine to manage hypertension.

OBJECTIVES

Hypertension is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although current drug therapies can be effective, management of hypertension is closely linked to patient adherence to therapy. A fixed-dose combination (FDC) of bisoprolol and amlodipine has shown to be effective and convenient, and to significantly improve patient adherence.

METHODS

This narrative review evaluates recent evidence from four studies which explore the efficacy, safety, and adherence of FDC bisoprolol and amlodipine in patients with hypertension: one observational study; two randomized clinical trials (RCTs); and one indirect comparison analysis.

RESULTS

All four studies support the efficacy of FDC bisoprolol and amlodipine in the management of hypertension, highlighting clinically meaningful reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), and high adherence. In a large cohort study exploring FDC bisoprolol and amlodipine in daily practice, high adherence improved BP and heart rate control versus baseline. In a Phase 3 RCT, FDC bisoprolol and amlodipine demonstrated superiority over monotherapies in BP control and a positive tolerability profile, further supporting its use to manage hypertension in second line following monotherapy. In another Phase 3 RCT, the combination of bisoprolol and amlodipine led to significant BP reductions versus monotherapy with amlodipine with a comparable safety profile. Finally, in the indirect treatment comparison, a low dose combination of bisoprolol and amlodipine showed a similar decrease in systolic BP compared with a maximum dose of amlodipine.

CONCLUSIONS

This review adds to growing evidence supporting the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of FDC bisoprolol and amlodipine in managing hypertension.