The combination of amlodipine/valsartan 5/160 mg produces less peripheral oedema than amlodipine 10 mg in hypertensive patients not adequately controlled with amlodipine 5 mg

AIMS: To demonstrate the benefit of the combination amlodipine/valsartan 5/160 mg over amlodipine 10 mg, in producing a lower incidence of peripheral oedema for a comparable mean sitting systolic blood pressure (MSSBP) reduction. METHODS: After a 4-week amlodipine 5 mg run-in phase, inadequately controlled hypertension patients (aged > or = 55 years, MSSBP > or = 130 and < or = 160 mmHg) were randomised to receive amlodipine/valsartan 5/160 mg or amlodipine 10 mg for 8 weeks, followed by amlodipine/valsartan 5/160 mg for 4 weeks for all patients. Primary variables were MSSBP change from baseline to week 8 and incidence of peripheral oedema reported as an AE. Resolution of peripheral oedema was assessed 4 weeks after switching patients from amlodipine 10 mg to amlodipine/ valsartan 5/160 mg. RESULTS: At week 8, MSSBP showed greater reduction with amlodipine/valsartan 5/160 mg than amlodipine 10 mg (least square mean: -8.01 vs.-5.95 mmHg, p < 0.001 for non-inferiority and p = 0.002 for superiority). Systolic control, overall BP control and systolic response rate at week 8 were significantly higher with combination than amlodipine 10 mg (34 vs. 26%; 57 vs. 50%; 36.57 vs. 27.77%, respectively). Incidence of peripheral oedema was significantly lower with the combination than amlodipine 10 mg (6.6 vs. 31.1%, p < 0.001). Peripheral oedema resolved in 56% patients who switched from amlodipine 10 mg to the combination, without the loss of effect on BP reduction. CONCLUSION: In non-responders to amlodipine 5 mg, treatment with amlodipine/valsartan 5/160 mg induced significantly less peripheral oedema than amlodipine 10 mg for similar BP reduction. Peripheral oedema resolved in > 50% patients switching from amlodipine 10 mg to the combination.