Tablets are now available in the United States for the once-daily treatment of hypertension.
An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from high blood pressure, which if left untreated can lead to heart attack, stroke, even death. People can have hypertension for years without knowing it, which is why the disease is called the silent killer. Micardis belongs to the newest class of antihypertensives known as angiotensin II receptor blockers or ARBs. As a result, vasoconstriction is inhibited and blood flow is facilitated, thereby reducing blood pressure. N.Y. In placebo-controlled trials involving 1,041 patients treated with various doses of Micardis for up to 12 weeks, the overall incidence of adverse events was similar to placebo.