Expert: Dr. Shabbir Baldiwala - 1/29/2009

Question
Respected Sir,

My brother's wife aged 64 has hbp and was on losartan 100 with HCTZ 12.5 Due to bp elevation 170/106 continuously, they consulted internist who gave amlodepine 5 mg over and above losartan 100 and HCTZ 12.5. She was not comfortable with the new drug and when follow up, the internist added S amlodepine 5 mg plus Amlodepine 5+loartan 100+HCT 12.5. As she had problems with amlosepine and s amlodepine, we again went to dr yesterday and now dr has suggested Losartan 100 +HCT 12.5 and cilnidipine 10 mg what is the new drug as we had hard times in getting it In India onl one J B Pharma has made it under the brand CILCAR 10, Can you guide us

Answer
Cilacar is a novel calcium channel blocker which works similarly but superiorly to Amlodepine. There isn't much experience with the usage of this molecule. If she has a problem with Amlodepine, a good combination for her would be Losartan 100 with HCT 12.5 plus Metoprolol 50.