Title:Efficacy and Safety Profile of Aliskiren: Practical Implications for Clinicians
Volume: 9
Issue: 2
Author(s): Fabio Angeli, Gianpaolo Reboldi, Cristina Poltronieri, Enrica Angeli, Valentina De Filippo, Alessandra Crocetti, Claudia Bartolini, Cinzia D'Ambrosio and Paolo Verdecchia
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Aliskiren, blood pressure reduction, combination therapy, hypertension, prognosis, renin-angiotensin system,
treatment.
Abstract: Renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) is an enzymatic cascade that plays a pivotal role in the development of
arterial hypertension, kidney disease and cardiovascular disease.
Inhibition of the RAS with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (ACE-Is) or angiotensin receptor blockers
(ARBs) has proved to be a successful strategy for the treatment of hypertension and related cardiovascular disorders.
However, by reducing feedback inhibition of renin release, the effects of ACE-Is and ARBs lead to an increase in plasma
renin concentration (PRC) and activity (PRA), limiting a complete inhibition of the RAS. Consequently the effects of a
different pharmacological strategy that completely blocks the RAS upstream has been assessed in the last years. In this
context, aliskiren is the first representative of a new class of non-peptide orally active renin inhibitor that blocks the RAS
at its rate-limiting step and induces a net reduction in PRA, angiotensin II and aldosterone levels.
Aliskiren effectively reduces blood pressure as a monotherapy as well in combination therapy. In addition, aliskiren has a
placebo-like tolerability profile at the licensed doses of 150 mg and 300 mg. Aliskiren also exhibits additive effects on
blood pressure reduction when combined with drugs that lead to a reactive increase in the PRA, such as diuretics, ACE-Is
or ARBs. In previous studies, aliskiren showed beneficial effects in patients with arterial hypertension and associated
clinical conditions. However, later trials indicated that the use of aliskiren should be avoided in patients with renal failure
or receiving ACE-Is or ARBs. The main aim of this review is to summarize the available data on its efficacy and safety
profile, highlighting clinical implications from recent trials.
