Table 2.

Strategies for Improving Adherence With Antihypertensive Drug Therapy

Factor Contributing to Nonadherence	Strategy for Improving Adherence
Adverse effects of drug(s)	Prescribe drug(s) with placebo-like tolerability
Periods of drug withdrawal	Use long-acting drugs that provide 24-hour blood pressure control (or longer)
Multiple-dosing regimen	Simplify the dosing regimen by prescribing a drug with high efficacy that can be taken once daily
Use of concomitant drugs	Prescribe low-dose combination therapy
Inadequate knowledge of drug	Improve patient monitoring Increase patient access to support staff Enhance patient education by scheduling follow-up visits and providing educational literature

See reference 2