Aliskiren: A clinical profile

Abstract

Aliskiren is a novel oral antihypertensive agent, and the first in the new class of direct renin inhibitors. Here we review the key criteria that a new antihypertensive drug should possess, notably effective blood pressure lowering as monotherapy and combination therapy, 24-hour blood pressure control, safety and tolerability end-organ protective effects, minimal drug interaction and efficacy during long-term use.

Aliskiren fulfils key criteria for a new antihypertensive agent. The drug demonstrates effective blood lowering in a number of studies as monotherapy and in combination with a thiazide diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ramipril) and a calcium channel blocker (amlodipine). Other studies applying ambulatory blood pressure monitoring show that aliskiren maintains blood pressure control for more than 24 hours. Aliskiren, 150 mg and 300 mg have demonstrated a placebo-like safety and tolerability profile with no interactions with a wide range of commonly used drugs. Three studies (AVOID, ALOFT and ALLAY) are ongoing with aliskiren to assess end-organ protective properties.