PERINDOPRIL

(Best Syndication) Australian researchers found a small benefit for diabetes patients taking a combination high blood pressure pill. The team of scientists at George Institute for International Health tracked 11,000 people with type 2 diabetes for 4½ years.

Some of the patients were given a placebo while others were given a combination of 4mg of a blood vessel relaxant called perindopril with 1.25mg of a diuretic called indapamide. Only half of the patients had high blood pressure, but the effects were beneficial for those with normal blood pressure too.

The American Heart Association weighed in on the matter. Daniel W. Jones, M.D., President of the American Heart Association said that it was an inexpensive way to save lives.

The combo drug lowered the risk of coronary heart disease events by 14 percent and deaths for heart disease by 18 percent. The regimen also lowered the risk of death from all causes by 14 percent.

The risk for kidney disease was also lowered. The researchers saw a 21 percent reduction in the development or worsening of kidney disease.

Worldwide the AHA estimates that the drug could save 1.5 million lives, if only given to diabetics.

Coversyl (perindopril) is a long-acting ACE inhibitor. Side effects include cough, fatigue, asthenia, headache, disturbances of mood and/or sleep. Brands in include: Aceon, Acertil ®, Armix ®, Coverene ®, Coverex ®, Coversum ®, Prestarium ®, Prexanil ®, Prexum ® and Procaptan ®.

Indapamide is a thiazide diuretic drug marketed by Servier and is generally used in the treatment of hypertension and edema caused by congestive heart failure. Indapamide is 1-(4-chloro-3-sulfamyl-benzamido)-2-methylindoline (or indapamide hemihydrate).

By Marsha Quinn
Best Syndication News Health Writer