better results than standard treatments.
This pill is called GMRx2, and it was tested in Nigeria as part of a study called the VERONICA-Nigeria trial. The study was led by The George Institute for Global Health.
The findings were shared at a major heart health event, the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2024, and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
GMRx2 is a once-a-day pill that includes small amounts of three common blood pressure drugs: telmisartan, amlodipine, and indapamide. Instead of starting with just one drug and adding more over time—as is the usual practice in Nigeria—this pill uses all three from the beginning.
After six months, the people who took GMRx2 had a bigger drop in their blood pressure. Their systolic blood pressure (the top number) dropped by 31 mmHg. In comparison, those on standard treatment had a 26 mmHg drop.
This 5.8 mmHg difference may not seem large, but research shows that every 5 mmHg drop lowers the risk of serious health problems like heart attacks or strokes by 10%.
The pill also worked faster. After only one month, 81% of the people taking GMRx2 had their blood pressure under control, compared to 55% of those on standard care. By the end of six months, the success rate was 82% for GMRx2 and 72% for standard treatment.
Importantly, both treatments were safe. No one dropped out of the study because of side effects.
Professor Dike Ojji, the lead researcher from the University of Abuja, said that GMRx2 made a big difference even when the usual care followed current medical rules.
This is especially important in low-income countries, where fewer than 25% of people who get treatment have their blood pressure under control. Even in wealthier countries, only about half to 70% of treated people reach their target blood pressure.
High blood pressure is a big problem worldwide. More than 1 billion adults have it, and two-thirds of them live in low- or middle-income countries. High blood pressure is the leading cause of death globally, linked to over 10 million deaths each year.
The success of GMRx2 offers hope for better treatment, especially in places where heart disease is a major concern. The pill was created by George Medicines, a company focused on improving heart health. They have recently asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve it.
Professor Anthony Rodgers from The George Institute said that this new pill could help millions of people and reduce the burden on healthcare systems. The study shows that using this kind of combination pill could help countries meet their goals for controlling high blood pressure.
In short, GMRx2 could be a breakthrough in treating high blood pressure. It’s simple, effective, and may save many lives by reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about high blood pressure treatment: ARBs vs. ACE inhibitors and blood pressure response to exercise can predict future heart disease.
For more about blood pressure, please read studies about This daily food is very important for blood pressure and heart health and Common blood pressure medication may have harmful side effects.
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