"Polypill" test raises questions
The more pills a person needs to take each day, the less likely he or she will do it day in and day out. That's one reason British researchers proposed what they called the polypill. It would combine low doses of several generic (and thus inexpensive) heart-protecting medications — aspirin, a cholesterol-lowering statin, and two or three different drugs to lower blood pressure — into a single pill.
Using a polypill to prevent heart disease in people who don't yet have it makes sense only if the pill is safe and causes few or no side effects. In the PILL trial, side effects such as upset stomach (most likely from aspirin) and dry cough (most likely from one of the blood pressure drugs) were severe enough that 23% of the volunteers stopped taking the polypill, compared with 18% of those taking the placebo.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
