COLUMBUS: Combination drug, also referred to as fixed dose combination (FDC), is a formulation which includes two or more active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The dosage is distributed in certain fixed doses.
Initially, fixed dose combination products were produced for targeting single diseases for example anti-retroviral combination drugs were manufactured for targeting AIDS. However, with the advancements in research and development activities, currently combination drugs are being manufactured for targeting multiple disease conditions such as Exforge (amlodipine/valsartan) or Caduet (atorvastatin/amlodipine).
Improved medication compliance by reducing the pill burden of patient and ability to compose combined profiles (pharmacokinetics, adverse effects and effects) that may be limited to single dosage form are some of the advantages associated with uptake of combination drugs.