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Polypill Trials for Stroke Prevention—Main Results, Critical Appraisal, and Implications for US Population

  • Stroke (H.-C. Diener, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The polypill, referring to a variety of combinations of low-cost cardiovascular and stroke preventive medications combined in a single tablet, has been evaluated as a population-based approach for cardiovascular disease prevention in several trials. This review summarizes the scope of the problem, main trial results, and their potential applicability to the US population.

Recent Findings

Initial trials demonstrated the efficacy of the polypill approach. The most recent, the PolyIran study, showed the effectiveness of one form of a polypill for cardiovascular disease prevention, high medication adherence, and low adverse event rates.

Summary

None of published polypill trials focused on stroke as the primary outcome and most were conducted in developing countries, limiting generalization to the US population. A US-based randomized trial with stroke as the primary outcome is needed to assess the usefulness of this approach for stroke prevention in the USA.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky, 740 South Limestone KY Clinic, J401, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA

    Mam Ibraheem & Larry B. Goldstein

  2. The Department of Veterans Affairs Lexington VA Medical Center, Troy Bowling Campus, Lexington, KY, USA

    Mam Ibraheem

Authors
  1. Mam Ibraheem
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  2. Larry B. Goldstein
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Correspondence to Mam Ibraheem.

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Ibraheem, M., Goldstein, L.B. Polypill Trials for Stroke Prevention—Main Results, Critical Appraisal, and Implications for US Population. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 20, 10 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-020-01031-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-020-01031-9

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