 | | | | Related Healthscout Videos | |
|
Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 Blood pressure was reduced by an average of 12.2 points in those getting the higher doses of combined therapy, compared to a 9-point reduction for those getting Tekturna alone, a 9.7-point reduction for those getting Diovan alone, and 4.1 points for those taking placebo.
"These findings provide a clear rationale for further studies to investigate the potential effects of long-term treatment with the combination of aliskiren and valsartan, and combinations of aliskiren and other angiotensin receptor blockers, on possible benefits beyond treating hypertension," the journal report said.
A number of such studies using a variety of medications are under way, Oparil said.
Text Continues Below
However, an accompanying editorial raised serious doubts about the safety of the two-drug combination used in the study. The editorial noted that there was a sharp spike in blood potassium levels among some patients getting the combined therapy. This type of spike can cause "potentially life-threatening side effects" such as paralysis and cardiac arrest, the article's authors wrote.
"If this is given to patients, serum potassium levels should be monitored from the start," added Dr. Jan Staessen, professor of medicine at the University of Leuven, Belgium, co-author of the editorial. "This is a major limitation on its use."
Because of the need to monitor potassium levels, use of the two-drug therapy should be limited to "patients who already have complications and require special therapy but not in the majority of patients," Staessen said.
Oparil described that criticism as "inflammatory and unfair."
"They just wanted to paint the drugs in an unfavorable light," she said.
Data in the published report showed that the incidence of high blood potassium levels was as common in participants getting the placebo as those receiving the two-drug combination, Oparil said. And of 18 participants who had potassium readings higher than the danger level, "12 were normal on retest," she said.
More information
You can learn about the different drugs used for high blood pressure and how they act from the American Heart Association.
Page: << Prev | 1 | 2
|
.gif)
