6 %)

showed a decrease in MK-1775 concentration potency after the switch; the group that showed no change in drug potency comprised 55 patients (61.1 %) and the group that showed an increase in drug potency comprised 21 patients (23.3 %). The average number of the tablets was changed from 2.63 ± 1.26 to 1.53 ± 0.91 (p < 0.001) (Fig. 1b). The changes in costs of antihypertensive drugs were estimated on the basis of the drug prices determined by the Ministry of Health, QNZ manufacturer Labour and Welfare in Japan in 2012. The costs of antihypertensive drugs decreased in 68 patients (75.6 %) but increased in 21 patients (23.3 %). The average cost of antihypertensive medication per month changed significantly from 6,873 ± 3,054 yen to 5,380 ± 2,198 yen (p < 0.001), Selleckchem Compound C resulting in an average decrease of 18,167 yen per year (Fig. 1c). Fig. 1 Changes in drug potency, number of tablets and drug cost by the switch to combination drugs. a Changes in drug potency. The potency did not change from 2.31 ± 1.09 to 2.27 ± 0.76 (p = 0.65). b Changes in the number of tablets of antihypertensive drugs. The number of tablets significantly

changed from 2.63 ± 1.26 to 1.53 ± 0.91 (p < 0.001). c Changes in the monthly costs for antihypertensive drugs. The monthly costs significantly decreased from 6,873 ± 3,054 yen to 5,380 ± 2,198 yen (p < 0.001) Changes in blood pressure In all 90 patients, the office blood pressure showed a significant decrease in both SBP (from 142.7 ± 19.4 mmHg to 134.7 ± 18.0 mmHg, p < 0.001) and DBP (from 82.6 ± 13.0 mmHg to 78.4 ± 11.7 mmHg, p < 0.001) (Fig. 2a). PRKACG Next, we analyzed the changes in BP in association with the change in potency. In the group of decrease in potency (n = 14), neither SBP nor DBP significantly changed; SBP from 135.4 ± 13.8 to 134.9 ± 13.5 mmHg (p = 0.90), DBP from 79.4 ± 8.9 to 79.1 ± 7.4 mmHg (p = 0.89) (Fig. 2b). Even in the group of no change in potency (n = 55), SBP and DBP significantly decreased;

SBP from 137.2 ± 15.9 to 131.1 ± 13.8 mmHg (p = 0.013) and DBP from 80.8 ± 12.9 to 76.7 ± 10.6 mmHg (p = 0.008) (Fig. 2c). In the group of increase in potency (n = 21), SBP significantly decreased from 161.7 ± 18.2 to 143.6 ± 25.3 mmHg (p < 0.001) and DBP significantly decreased from 89.4 ± 11.2 to 82.3 ± 15.0 mmHg (p = 0.018) (Fig. 2d). Fig. 2 Changes in blood pressure after switching to combination drugs. a Changes in blood pressure in total patients. SBP (systolic blood pressure) significantly decreased from 142.7 ± 19.4 mmHg to 134.7 ± 18.0 mmHg (p < 0.001) and DBP (diastolic blood pressure) significantly decreased from 82.6 ± 13.0 to 78.4 ± 11.7 mmHg (p < 0.001). b Changes in blood pressure in the group of decrease in potency. SBP did not change from 135.4 ± 13.8 to 134.9 ± 13.5 mmHg (p = 0.90), and DBP did not change from 79.4 ± 8.9 to 79.1 ± 7.4 mmHg (p = 0.89).