The Use of a Single-Pill Calcium Channel Blocker⁄Statin Combination in the Management of Hypertension and Dyslipidemia: A Randomized,

Poor control of hypertension or dyslipidemia mayat least in part be due to these risk factors beingtreated in isolation. The Caduet in UntreatedSubjects Population (CUSP) trial was an 8-week,randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlledtrial evaluating the efficacy⁄safety of the combi-nation of a calcium channel blocker (amlodipinebesylate) and a statin (atorvastatin calcium) in asingle-pill form (5⁄20 mg) plus therapeutic life-style changes (TLC) compared with placebo plusTLC in patients with comorbid hypertension anddyslipidemia without evidence of cardiovasculardisease. At week 4, additional antihypertensive⁄lipid-lowering medication was permitted. Theprimary end point was the proportion of patientsin whom the dual goal of blood pressure(<140⁄90 mm Hg) and low-density lipoproteincholesterol control (<100 mg⁄dL) was met atweek 4. This dual goal attainment was signifi-cantly greater with amlodipine⁄atorvastatin plusTLC compared with placebo plus TLC at week 4(47.6% vs 1.7%; P<.001), with further improve-ments at week 8. Most adverse events were mildto moderate. Therapy with single-pillamlodipine⁄atorvastatin plus TLC in thesepatients significantly increased dual bloodpressure⁄low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goalattainment compared with placebo plus TLC.JClinHypertens(Greenwich).2009;11:22–30.