Effect of calcium channel blocker in combination with an angiotensin II receptor blocker in Japanese patients with hypertension

It is hard to achieve antihypertensive goal in daily clinical practice. Combination therapy is mostly applied since antihypertensive therapy with single agent has limitations. Ca channel blocker (CCB), angiotension II receptor blocker (ARB) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor are current mainstream antiltypertensives and combination therapy of CCB and ARB is especially applied. CCB shows good antihypertensive effect and has fewer side-effects. On the other hand, ARB inhibits renin-angiotensin system and excels at cardioprotective and renoprotective effect. These combination therapies are vital to achieve antihypertensive goal. In the years ahead, it is necessary to review whether or not there are differences on the effect and medical cost economy even between antihypertensive agents in the same class.