Patients take Medications more regularly with Single Pill

Even after experiencing a heart attack or stroke many patients do not take all their prescribed medications on a regular basis.  A new study investigated whether a single combination pill could help these patients take their medications more regularly. “The cardiovascular polypills contained Statins, blood pressure lowering agents and anti-platelet agents, typically aspirin.” Dr. Simon Thom from the National Heart and Lung Institute and co-authors randomized patients diagnosed with or at high risk for cardiovascular disease.  Half the patients were randomized to receive the polypill.  The other participants continued a regimen of regular medications or usual care. “The polypill intervention improves adherence to indicated cardiovascular preventive medication. This was supported by parallel reduction in systolic blood pressure and a reduction in LDL cholesterol.” The study appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association.