What Data Are Required to Adopt New Antihypertensive Agents?

The arguments presented in this brief review indicate that despite the large number of antihypertensive agents currently available, there is still need for additional drugs. Introduction of new members of an existing class is justified if the new drug presents advantages in terms of ancillary properties or side effect profile, when compared with other agents of that class. Novel classes of antihypertensives, with a mechanism of action different from existing agents, such as the recently introduced angiotensin II antagonists, are of particular interest because they affect a different pathogenetic aspect of the disease. The efficacy of new drugs should be tested by comparison with established drugs, since placebo controls are no longer justifiable except for short periods. Longitudinal comparisons of drugs from different classes are necessary to establish their relative potential for protection of vital organs from hypertensive damage.