Who is more likely to keep blood pressure at normal levels after antihyperten-sive drug therapy is discontinued? Researchers in Australia monitored 503 patients aged 65 to 84, from 169 general practices, to find out. Their answer: After 12 months, it is the younger patients (ages 65 to 74) with a lower “on-treatment” systolic blood pressure [...]
The U.S. has become the first country to approve aliskiren (Tekturna, Novartis) tablets, a new type of blood pressure medication in more than a decade. Aliskiren, also known as Rasilez, is awaiting approval in Europe. Aliskiren is a direct renin inhibitor. As a once-daily oral therapy, it targets renin, an enzyme responsible for triggering a [...]
A tablet made by Novartis combines two agents used to treat hypertension: valsartan (Generic Diovan), an angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB), and amlodipine (Norvasc tablet), a calcium-channel blocker (CCB). Both drugs allow blood vessels to relax so that blood can flow more easily. The FDA’s approval was supported by a clinical program involving more than 5,000 patients. [...]
