Aliskiren

Aliskiren (CGP-60536 or SPP100) is the first oral direct renin inhibitor and the first new class of antihypertensive agents to be introduced in more than a decade. Aliskiren taken once a day, alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, has been shown to be effective in reducing blood pressure and is generally well tolerated. Based on an extensive clinical trials program, aliskiren was approved for the treatment of hypertension in March 2007 (as Tekturna; Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, NJ, USA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and in August 2007 (as Rasilez, Enviage, Sprimeo, Tekturna and Riprazo, all from Novartis) for the treatment of essential hypertension by the European Commission. Although the indication for aliskiren is treatment of essential hypertension, benefits similar to those demonstrated with certain angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) are anticipated for aliskiren. Some of the 44 trials with aliskiren are listed in Table II. Inhibition of renin, which is the first and rate-limiting step in the renin-angiotensin pathway has theoretical advantages over either ACE inhibitors or ARBs.