Interní Med. 2012; 14(11): 415-418

Adherence to hypertension treatment: will new drug dosage forms help?

doc.MUDr.Michal Vrablík, Ph.D.

Centrum preventivní kardiologie, 3. interní klinika 1. LF UK a VFN v Praze

Adherence to treatment has recently been repeatedly mentioned as a prerequisite for treatment success. Ways to increase adherence

include motivation and proper education of patients about the necessity to comply with the recommended therapeutic regimen and

making them acquainted with the consequences of non-adherent behaviour. Rationalization of pharmacotherapy and simplification

of therapeutic regimens have become essential in strategies to increase adherence. Another option is represented by new drug dosage

forms that increase bioavailability of drugs, reduce variability in absorption, and thus allow achievement of more stable drug levels.

While preserving the biological effect, a smaller amount of the active substance can be used, the rates and odds of adverse drug events

are reduced, and adherence improves. Certain new drug dosage forms make the treatment more simple and, possibly, even more attractive

to patients. Recent advances include, among other things, orodispersible dosage forms, now also being introduced in the treatment

of arterial hypertension. None of the above methods is universal and, in order to maximize adherence of patients to treatment, all available

means tailored to the individual needs of patients will have to be utilized.

Keywords: adherence, cardiovascular risk, arterial hypertension, new dosage forms, orodispersible tablet

Published: December 1, 2012  Show citation