Expert: Dr. Ravindra Bhaskar Ghooi - 8/28/2007

Question
Dear Doctor,
I have two questions:

1. I am on Losartan 25 mg ( also Amlopdipine 2.5 mg). Is there a better drug (in the "Sartan" family) than Losartan which has comparabale features. If so please suggest what dosage can replace my present dosage.

2. I find it a little trouble some to carry around and take two drugs. Is there any approved combination of Amlodipine 2.5mg and Losartan 25mg as a single drug. Is this considered as an "irrational combination". If so is there any other similiar combination drug which can be taken as a single drug to repalce my two drug dosage.

Thanks

Answer
Hi Vijay,
Telmisartan can be taken once a day in place of losartan twice a day, check with your doctor what dose you should take, it will depend on a variety of factors like your body weight, your blood pressure etc.
Personally I do not favour fixed dose combinations since it is difficult or impossible to vary the dose of individual drugs. For this reason such combinations are considered irrational and not available in most countries other than India. I would urge you to bear the inconvenience rather than go for such an irrational combination.
Ravi Ghooi