International Circulation:  Can you talk about the advantages of valsartan/ amlodipine combination in a single pill  (Exforge®）for reducing side effects?

《国际循环》：您能谈谈缬沙坦氨氯地平单片（Exforge®）在降低不良反应方面的优势吗？

Professor Weir:  Well we have known for many years that one of the side effects of calcium channel blockers is some pedal edema.  It can be attenuate with the use of drugs that block the renin angiotensin system – either an ACE inhibitor or in this case an angiotensin receptor blocker so in fact giving these two together is a better strategy for reducing the likelihood of side effects， particular the pedal edema.  And given the fact that hypertension is a lifelong progressive asymptomatic disease process， this is obviously a natural fit.

Weir教授：很多年来，我们已经知道钙通道阻滞剂的一个不良反应是足部水肿。该不良反应可因阻断肾素血管紧张素系统的药物（无论是ACE抑制剂还是象该联合中的血管紧张素受体拮抗剂）的应用而减弱，因此，实际上，联合应用这两种药物是降低不良反应尤其是足部水肿发生可能性的更好的策略。另外，鉴于高血压终身进展的无症状疾病进程的事实，这显而易见是一种自然的选择。