olmesartan medoxomil / amlodipine besilate / hydrochlorothiazide (Sevikar HCT)

Following an abbreviated submission:

olmesartan medoxomil, amlodipine besilate and hydrochlorothiazide (Sevikar HCT®)  is accepted for use in NHS Scotland.

Indication under review: In adult patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled on the combination of olmesartan medoxomil and amlodipine taken as dual-component formulation.

Two double-blind randomised studies of triple versus dual therapy demonstrated significantly better outcomes for patients in the triple therapy group in terms of the proportion of patients reaching target blood pressure and reduction in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

In patients for whom concomitant use of these medicines is appropriate it allows administration of a single tablet at a lower cost compared to a dual combination product plus single component. Angiotensin receptor blockers are an alternative to angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors where these are not tolerated.  These fixed dose combinations are among many options for the treatment of hypertension, many of which are less expensive.