...and one for blood pressure

COMBINING four different blood pressure tablets into a ‘quadpill’ is a more effective treatment, according to researchers.

Doctors often put patients on one blood pressure drug, then consider changing or adding to the medication if it doesn’t work.

Australian researchers studied the effects of one pill containing a beta blocker, a ‘water pill’ or diuretic, a calcium channel blocker and an angiotensin receptor blocker.

Some 76 per cent of those on the combined pill had their blood pressure under control within three months, compared with only 58 per cent among those taking one drug.