Effects of fixed-dose combination therapy for prevention of cardiovascular disease uncertain

Compared with usual care, active control or placebo for CVD prevention, the effects of fixed-dose combination therapy (FDCT – blood pressure, cholesterol lowering and antiplatelet therapies) on all-cause mortality or CVD events were uncertain due to low event rates, imprecision and risk of bias. Only a few trials reported these outcomes, and the included trials were primarily designed to observe changes in CVD risk factor levels rather than clinical events. FDCT was associated with lower blood pressure and lipid levels, though substantial heterogeneity of results existed. FDCT was associated with modest increases in adverse events compared with placebo, single-drug active component or usual care, but might be associated with improved adherence to a multidrug regimen.