Injected Drug Approved for High Blood Pressure

When oral therapy isn't feasible

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MONDAY, Aug. 4 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Cleviprex (clevidipine butyrate), an injected drug to treat high blood pressure.

Produced by the Medicines Co. of Parsippany, N.J., the drug is to be prescribed when oral high blood pressure drugs aren't possible or desired. Unlike many older drugs for high blood pressure, Cleviprex doesn't accumulate in the body since it is metabolized in the tissues and blood, not the kidneys or liver, the drug maker said in a news release.

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Approval was based on clinical studies involving 1,406 people. The most common side effects were headache, nausea and vomiting, the company said.

More information

To learn more about high blood pressure, visit the American Heart Association.

-- Scott Roberts