Combination drug therapy for treating hypertension

A pharmaceutical composition for treating hypertension, comprising one or more pharmaceutically suitable carriers or excipients and active ingredients including:

• trandolapril or a therapeutic derivative thereof, present in an amount between about 0.5 mg and about 2 mg;
• verapamil or a therapeutic derivative thereof;
• and
• hydrochlorothiazide or a therapeutic derivative thereof;
• wherein one or more of the active ingredients are present in an amount to achieve effective blood pressure control in a patient to which the composition is administered.

A method for treating hypertension in a patient with coronary artery disease comprising administering a composition which includes one or more pharmaceutically suitable carriers or excipients and active ingredients including:

• an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor;
• a calcium channel blocker;
• and
• a diuretic;
• wherein one or more of the active ingredients are present in an effective amount to treat hypertension and the method achieves and maintains effective blood pressure control in the patient.

A method for decreasing mortality in a patient with coronary artery disease comprising administering a composition which comprises one or more pharmaceutically suitable carriers or excipients and active ingredients including:

• an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor;
• a calcium channel blocker;
• and
• a diuretic;
• wherein one or more of the active ingredients are present in an effective amount to treat hypertension and the method achieves and maintains effective blood pressure control in the patient.

A method for decreasing the likelihood of a heart attack and/or a myocardial infarction in a patient with coronary artery disease comprising administering a composition which comprises one or more pharmaceutically suitable carriers or excipients and active ingredients including:

• an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor;
• a calcium channel blocker;
• and
• a diuretic;
• wherein one or more of the active ingredients are present in an effective amount to treat hypertension and the method achieves and maintains effective blood pressure control in the patient.

A method of decreasing the likelihood of a stroke in a patient with coronary artery disease comprising administering a composition which comprises one or more pharmaceutically suitable carriers or excipients and active ingredients including:

• an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor;
• a calcium channel blocker;
• and
• a diuretic;
• wherein one or more of the active ingredients are present in an effective amount to treat hypertension and the method achieves and maintains effective blood pressure control in the patient.

A method of decreasing the likelihood of acquiring diabetes or delaying the onset of diabetes in a patient with coronary artery disease comprising administering a composition which comprises one or more pharmaceutically suitable carriers or excipients and active ingredients including:

• an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor;
• a calcium channel blocker;
• and
• a diuretic;
• wherein one or more of the active ingredients are present in an effective amount to treat hypertension and the method achieves and maintains effective blood pressure control in the patient.

A kit for treating hypertension in a patient with coronary artery disease comprising:

• (a) active ingredients formulated as:
• (i) one or more dosage units comprising an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor and one or more pharmaceutically suitable carriers or excipients;
• (ii) one or more dosage units comprising a calcium antagonist and one or more pharmaceutically suitable carriers or excipients;
• and
• (iii) one or more dosage units comprising a diuretic and one or more pharmaceutically suitable carriers or excipients;
• wherein one or more of the dosage units comprise the active ingredient in an effective amount to treat hypertension in the patient;
• and
• (b) instructions for using the kit to treat, prevent, and/or ameliorate hypertension by achieving and maintaining effective blood pressure control in the patient.