A polypill with multiple ingredients has been proposed to prevent heart disease. The polypill concept has been causing debate since a published paper claimed that one pill containing six different medicines would prevent 80% of heart attacks and strokes.

In the latest issue of Australian Prescriber, Professor Alistair Woodward and Dr Natasha Rafter, from the School of Population Health at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, weigh up the risks and possible benefits of a polypill.

“There are both pros and cons of the polypill and at present there’s more heat than light in the debate. We don’t know if this combined treatment is the right answer for everyone. It is time to do some trials and get some answers,” say Professor Woodward and Dr Rafter.

The ‘polypill’ could contain aspirin, folic acid, and medicines to lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

It is generally accepted that these medicines have a place in the treatment and prevention of heart disease. As the polypill would allow people to take one tablet instead of up to six, they may be more likely to take their treatment regularly, making it more effective.

But the authors argue that before the polypill is declared a magic bullet, we need to look at possible problems. They write: “We simply don’t know if the polypill will cause adverse effects and without trials we cannot say what happens when these drugs are combined and taken as one. And although it seems logical, there is no evidence that patients are better at taking one pill instead of many”.

For the complete article visit the Australian Prescriber website www.australianprescriber.com.

ENDS

Australian Prescriber is an independent peer reviewed journal providing critical commentary on therapeutic topics for health professionals. It is published by National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS), an independent, non-profit organisation funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.