Pfizer's Caduet gets OK from FDA

The US Food and Drug Administration has granted marketing authorization to drug major Pfizer for its dual therapy medicine, Caduet (amlodipine besylate/atorvastatin calcium). The product is indicated for the simultaneous treatment of hypertension and high cholesterol.

Caduet is the first medicine to treat the two conditions in one pill, noted the company. It contains two of Pfizer's leading medications: the antihypertensive Norvasc (amlodipine besylate) and the world's most-prescribed drug, the cholesterol-lowerer, Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium).

"Despite an abundance of available therapies, millions of patients continue to have uncontrolled hypertension and high cholesterol. By treating both conditions at the same time, physicians can help reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease," said Joe Feczko, president of worldwide development at Pfizer.