Tekturna (aliskiren) comes in a tablet form. This is the first high blood pressure drug approved by the FDA to reduce the kidney enzyme (renin) that is associated with regulating blood pressure.
Tekturna is different than other blood pressure medicines, because it is the first approved drug to work in the body's system at the onset of blood pressure regulation. This compares with prior approved drugs that work in the later stages of the body's blood pressure processes.
In six studies of eight weeks each using more than 2,000 participants, the new drug was found to be effective in lowering blood pressure for up to one year.
Only African-Americans were found to have less effective results from the study with smaller blood pressure reductions in comparison with Caucasians and Asians. However, this is a common result from other blood pressure drugs as well for this ethnic group.
The drug was further evaluated for safety in nearly 6,500 patients. The side effects were usually mild and did not last very long, with the most common side effect being diarrhea in a very small percentage of study participants.
Tekturna was found to be even better in reducing blood pressure when used in combination with hydrochlorothiazide, which is a diuretic. However, your physician should always be consulted before taking any combination of drugs.
This new drug, as well as many other drugs, should not be used during pregnancy as it may cause fetal injury or death.
According to Deputy Director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Dr. Douglas C. Throckmorton stated, "Hypertension is rightly called 'the silent killer' because it usually has no symptoms until it causes major damage to the body organs," such as trouble with the heart, brain or kidneys.
"...[The approval of Tekturna] adds a new safe and effective treatment option for people who need help to control their blood pressure," said Dr. Throckmorton.
A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher is considered to be high.
The latest statistics indicate that nearly one in three adults in America has high blood pressure, which usually lasts a lifetime.
It is recommended that everyone obtain a regular, yearly examination to check for high blood pressure.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment for high blood pressure can be controlled, thereby avoiding consequential and major added damages to the body.
