Effects of amlodipine plus atorvastatin association in hypertensive hypercholesterolemic patients

Therapies that lower blood pressure or lipid levels slow the progression of atherosclerosis, and reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with hypertension or atherosclerotic disease. A combination tablet containing both amlodipine besylate and atorvastatin calcium has recently been approved for the treatment of hypertension and dyslipidemia in a growing number of countries. We decided to undertake a thorough literature search to evaluate the effects of amlodipine and atorvastatin in hypertensive hypercholesterolemic patients on blood pressure values, lipid profile values and, when available, data on small- and large-artery compliance, left ventricular mass index, and inflammatory parameters. From the data collected, it emerged that in hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic patients, the combination of amlodipine plus atorvastatin is more effective than the single drugs alone in reducing blood pressure and in improving lipid profile. Furthermore the combination of amlodipine plus atorvastatin also improved small-artery compliance, inflammatory markers, left ventricular hypertrophy and reduced uric acid faster and more effectively than the single drugs taken alone. For these reasons, the combination of amlodipine plus atorvastatin could be the treatment of choice in hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic patients.