A Systematic Review of Adherence with Medications for Diabetes published in The American Diabetes Association Diabetes Review states:
“Patients converting from monotherapy or polytherapy to a single combination tablet improved their adherence rates by 23 and 16%, respectively.”
While individuals should never be started on fixed dose combinations due to the fact it is much more difficult to increase or decrease the dose of one medicine since it will change the other medicine in the combination at the same time, once stabilised, this group of medicines have an important role in the management of chronic health conditions including diabetes.
It has long been recognised there is considerable tablet burden both from a financial and the number of pills taken in one day. Fixed dose combinations may help lower this burden and ultimately burnout which can improve long term adherence and diabetes management.
