In a major advancement for cardiovascular medicine, a research team from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, has developed a new drug that combines three antihypertensive agents into a single tablet — a formulation expected to significantly improve blood pressure management and reduce the risk of stroke.
The innovation, led by medical researchers from the university’s Ragama Medical Faculty, aims to replace the conventional triple-pill regimen commonly prescribed to patients suffering from hypertension.
According to clinical findings, the new combination drug can lower the risk of stroke caused by ruptured blood vessels due to high blood pressure by nearly 60 percent.
Speaking at a media briefing, Neurologist Dr. Bimsara Senanayake said the medication showed remarkable promise in preventing recurrent strokes among hypertensive patients.
“Nearly 80 percent of stroke cases occur due to blocked or ruptured blood vessels. Our study found that effective blood pressure control through this new medication can reduce recurrence risk by up to 60 percent,” he explained.
Cardiologist Dr. Gotabhaya Ranasinghe highlighted that about 35 percent of Sri Lankans aged 30 to 80 suffer from hypertension, many of whom remain untreated or unaware of their condition.
“This new tablet not only brings blood pressure under control more efficiently but also maintains stable levels throughout the day,” he said, calling it an important breakthrough in the fight against hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases.
University officials noted that the drug is expected to undergo further regulatory evaluation before being made available for public use.
