title: Aliskiren in Patients Failing to Achieve Blood Pressure Targets With Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To assess the efficacy of aliskiren in patients failing to reach blood pressure (BP) goals with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 107 patients who failed to reach BP goals on ACEI or ARB were switched to aliskiren. Changes in BP were determined during maximal ACEI, ARB, or aliskiren therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean reduction in sBP and dBP with ACEI was 8.5 ± 6.3 mmHg and 6.0 ± 4.7 mmHg, respectively. Mean reduction in sBP and dBP with ARB was 8.3 ± 6.7 mmHg and 5.0 ± 5.2 mmHg, respectively. Mean reduction in sBP and dBP with aliskiren 150 mg/d was 6.7 ± 5.4 mmHg and 5.4 ± 4.8 mmHg, respectively. Mean reduction in sBP and dBP with aliskiren 300 mg/d was 8.6 ± 6.3 mmHg and 6.0 ± 4.9 mmHg, respectively. BP reductions between ACEI, ARB, and aliskiren were not significantly different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aliskiren is ineffective in patients failing ACEI or ARB therapy. Given the label changes restricting the use of aliskiren in combination with ACEI and ARB, excess cost compared to ACEI and ARB, and a paucity of outcome data, there is a limited role for aliskiren in practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Services, Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.affiliation: Creighton University Cardiac Center, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.affiliation: Creighton University Cardiac Center, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA.
authors.forename: Tammy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.affiliation: Creighton University Cardiac Center, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA.
authors.forename: Aryan N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Mooss
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Omaha, NE, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Hilleman
keywords: Aliskiren; Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors; Angiotensin receptor blockers; Hypertension