There was a dose-dependent decrease in blood pressure for aliskiren 75 mg , 150 mg and 300 mg .
Aliskiren had no effect on blood pressure variability .
Due to very limited information available regarding change in heart rate and pulse pressure , it was not possible to meta-analyze these outcomes .Mortality and non-fatal serious adverse events were not increased .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Compared to placebo , aliskiren lowered BP and this effect is dose-dependent .
This magnitude of BP lowering effect is similar to that for angiotensin-converting enzyme ( ACE ) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers ( ARBs ) .
There is no difference in mortality , nonfatal serious adverse events or withdrawal due to adverse effects with short term aliskiren monotherapy .
BACKGROUND Hypertension is a chronic condition associated with an increased risk of mortality and morbidity .
Renin is the enzyme responsible for converting angiotensinogen to angiotensin I , which is then converted to angiotensin II .
Renin inhibitors are a new class of drugs that decrease blood pressure ( BP ) by preventing the formation of both angiotensin I and angiotensin II .
OBJECTIVES To quantify the dose-related BP lowering efficacy of renin inhibitors compared to placebo in the treatment of primary hypertension .
To determine the change in BP variability , pulse pressure , and heart rate and to evaluate adverse events ( mortality , non-fatal serious adverse events , total adverse events , withdrawal due to adverse effects and specific adverse events such as dry cough , diarrhoea and angioedema ) .
Aliskiren, an oral renin inhibitor, provides dose-dependent efficacy and sustained 24-hour blood pressure control in patients with hypertension.
OBJECTIVES This dose-ranging study evaluated the antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability of aliskiren in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension . BACKGROUND Low blood pressure ( BP ) control rates among patients with hypertension indicate a need for improved treatment options . This study investigates aliskiren , the first in a new antihypertensive class called renin inhibitors . METHODS Patients with mean sitting diastolic BP 95 to 109 mm Hg were r and omized to aliskiren 150 , 300 , or 600 mg or placebo  once daily for 8 weeks . Patients completing this treatment phase entered a 2-week treatment-free withdrawal period . Office BP was recorded at baseline , weeks 2 , 4 , 6 , and 8 of treatment , and 4 days and 2 weeks after cessation of treatment . A subgroup of patients underwent ambulatory BP monitoring . RESULTS In total , 672 patients were r and omized to treatment . After 8 weeks , aliskiren 150 , 300 , and 600 mg significantly reduced mean sitting BP ( systolic/diastolic ) by 13.0/10.3 , 14.7/11.1 , and 15.8/12.5 mm Hg , respectively , versus 3.8/4.9 mm Hg with placebo ( all p < 0.0001 for systolic and diastolic BP ) . The BP-lowering effect of aliskiren persisted for up to 2 weeks after treatment withdrawal . Aliskiren significantly reduced mean 24-h ambulatory BP ( p < 0.0001 vs. placebo with all doses ) exhibiting smooth , sustained effects and high trough-to-peak ratios .  Aliskiren was well tolerated ; overall adverse event rates were 40.1 % , 46.7 % , and 52.4 % with aliskiren 150 , 300 , and 600 mg , respectively , and 43.0 % with placebo . Few patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events . CONCLUSIONS Aliskiren provides significant antihypertensive efficacy in patients with hypertension , with no rebound effects on blood pressure after treatment withdrawal
There was a dose-dependent decrease in blood pressure for aliskiren 75 mg , 150 mg and 300 mg .
Aliskiren had no effect on blood pressure variability .
Due to very limited information available regarding change in heart rate and pulse pressure , it was not possible to meta-analyze these outcomes .Mortality and non-fatal serious adverse events were not increased .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Compared to placebo , aliskiren lowered BP and this effect is dose-dependent .
This magnitude of BP lowering effect is similar to that for angiotensin-converting enzyme ( ACE ) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers ( ARBs ) .
There is no difference in mortality , nonfatal serious adverse events or withdrawal due to adverse effects with short term aliskiren monotherapy .
BACKGROUND Hypertension is a chronic condition associated with an increased risk of mortality and morbidity .
Renin is the enzyme responsible for converting angiotensinogen to angiotensin I , which is then converted to angiotensin II .
Renin inhibitors are a new class of drugs that decrease blood pressure ( BP ) by preventing the formation of both angiotensin I and angiotensin II .
OBJECTIVES To quantify the dose-related BP lowering efficacy of renin inhibitors compared to placebo in the treatment of primary hypertension .
To determine the change in BP variability , pulse pressure , and heart rate and to evaluate adverse events ( mortality , non-fatal serious adverse events , total adverse events , withdrawal due to adverse effects and specific adverse events such as dry cough , diarrhoea and angioedema ) .