The cost-effectiveness of irbesartan for hypertension

Claudio Borghi1, Riccardo Urso, Arrigo F G Cicero

  • 1Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, U.O di Medicina Interna, Ospedale Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, University of Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy.

Insights

Irbesartan, an angiotensin-receptor blocker, effectively manages hypertension and its complications, particularly in patients with metabolic syndrome or Type 2 diabetes. This review examines its organ damage prevention and economic benefits compared to other antihypertensives.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Hypertension is a prevalent global health issue affecting adults and the elderly.
  • Complications of hypertension are more frequent in patients with metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes.
  • Numerous drug classes exist for hypertension management, necessitating efficacy and economic evaluations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the effectiveness of irbesartan in preventing or delaying organ damage in hypertensive patients.
  • To analyze the economic implications of using irbesartan for hypertension treatment.
  • To compare irbesartan's efficacy and economic impact against other antihypertensive drugs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical trials and pharmacological studies on irbesartan.
  • Analysis of data concerning organ damage prevention in hypertensive patients treated with irbesartan.
  • Economic evaluation of irbesartan therapy in comparison to alternative antihypertensive agents.

Main Results:

  • Irbesartan demonstrates significant antihypertensive efficacy.
  • The drug has shown promise in preventing or delaying organ damage, especially in complex hypertensive patients.
  • Economic analysis suggests potential cost-effectiveness in specific patient populations.

Conclusions:

  • Irbesartan is a valuable therapeutic option for hypertension, particularly in patients with metabolic complexities.
  • Further research into long-term organ protection and comprehensive cost-benefit analyses is warranted.
  • Irbesartan offers a favorable profile for managing hypertension and its associated risks.

Related Concept Videos

Dose-Response Relationship: Potency and Efficacy01:22

Dose-Response Relationship: Potency and Efficacy

The potency of a drug is the measure of its ability to produce a biological response and can be compared by looking at the half-maximum effective concentration or EC50 values of different drugs. A lower EC50 value indicates higher potency of the drug. In the dose–response curve of two antihypertensive drugs, candesartan and irbesartan, a significant difference is observed in their EC50 values. A lower EC50 value for candesartan indicates that it is more potent than irbesartan, as it...
7.7K
Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors01:25

Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an intricate physiological pathway involving numerous enzymes and hormones, including renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin I and II, and aldosterone. Imbalances within this system increase the production of angiotensin II and aldosterone. Increased angiotensin II levels promote vasoconstriction and blood pressure elevation. Concurrently, higher aldosterone levels stimulate sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys,...
1.9K
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers01:30

Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

In the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, a hormone called angiotensin II plays a crucial role. It binds to the AT1 receptors in vascular smooth muscles coupled with Gq proteins. The activation of these receptors activates an enzyme called phospholipase C, which releases two molecules: inositol trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. These molecules cause a chain reaction that leads to the phosphorylation of myosin light chains and promotes interaction between actin and myosin, leading to smooth...
3.1K
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors01:30

Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a vital component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, is abundant in lung endothelial cells. ACE converts the inactive decapeptide, angiotensin I, into the active octapeptide, angiotensin II. This potent vasoconstrictor narrows blood vessels, increasing resistance to blood flow and elevating blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates aldosterone production, encouraging kidney cells to reabsorb more sodium and water from urine, thereby increasing...
2.9K
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
1.5K
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists01:18

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists

Endothelins (ETs) are potent vasoactive peptides critical in the human body's various physiological and pathological processes. One of the most promising therapeutic strategies for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) involves counteracting the effects of these endothelins using a class of drugs known as endothelin receptor antagonists.
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme...
577