FDA Reports Combination Hypertension Treatment Discontinued

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted a discontinuation notice for Twynsta (telmisartan, amlodipine; Boehringer Ingelheim) 80mg/10mg tablets in 30-count blister packs.

Twynsta is indicated for the treatment of hypertension as monotherapy or with other antihypertensives or as initial therapy in patients likely to need multiple drugs to achieve blood pressure goals. It combines telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), and amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker (CCB). 

Telmisartan blocks the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II by selectively blocking the binding of angiotensin II to the AT₁ receptor in many tissues, such as vascular smooth muscle and the adrenal gland. Amlodipine inhibits calcium ion influx across cell membranes selectively, with a greater effect on vascular smooth muscle cells than on cardiac muscle cells. 

The Company stated the discontinuation was a business decision and that the other tablet strengths are still available: 40mg/5mg, 40mg/10mg, and 80mg/5mg. 

Reference

Current and resolved drug shortages and discontinuations reported to FDA: telmisartan and amlodipine (Twynsta) tablets. Silver Spring, Maryland: US Food and Drug Administration; March 6, 2018. Accessed March 13, 2018.

This article originally appeared on MPR