HYPERTENSION DIGEST

A new drug being investigated provides good 24-hour blood pressure control

Although there are several classes of antihypertensive, or blood pressure lowering drugs, research continues to find other drugs that may be more effective or more effective in specific types of patients or diseases. One new class of drug that is being investigated is called renin inhibitors. Recent research has shown that a renin inhibitor, called aliskiren, provides effective 24-hour blood pressure control. Round-the-clock of blood pressure is necessary and is a goal of all blood pressure therapy.

The research was presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Hypertension in May 2007. One study was conducted in several centers in the United States in 672 people with mild to moderate hypertension  (140-179 mmHg/85-109 mmHg), who were randomly assigned to three different doses of aliskiren (150 mg, 300 mg, 600 mg, once daily) or placebo. Neither the patients nor their physician which treatment the patient received during the study period.

Dr. Jerry Mitchell, the lead investigator (Texas Center for Drug Development) reported that aliskiren was associated with consistent and significant reductions in 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and effective and smooth 24-hour blood pressure control. He said that, “By helping control blood pressure around the clock and preventing blood pressure surges, aliskiren may lower the risks of heart attacks and strokes.” Blood pressure can surge (rise rapidly upon wakening in the morning) if the blood pressure medication does not effectively control blood pressure from the time a patient takes the medication until the next time the patient takes the drug, which is usually 24-hours apart.

Mitchell stated that more studies are needed of aliskiren to determine whether or not it can also prevent damage to the heart, kidneys, and eyes, key organs that can be damaged by persistent and uncontrolled blood pressure. He said that this study shows that this new approach to controlling blood pressure is effective.

The other study was conducted in Brazil and tested whether aliskiren, either alone or take in combination with a diuretic, was safe and effective. In the 2,776 patients with hypertension in the study, aliskiren significantly reduced blood pressure.

Dr. Alberto Villamil, lead investigator (Fundapres, Buenos Aires, Argentina) said, that aliskiren reduced blood pressure when it was given alone, but that there was a significant additional reduction in blood pressure when it given in combination with the diuretic.