Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is the manufactured of Rasilez, a drug used for treatment for high blood pressure. As a renin inhibitor, Rasilez would represent the first of the new treatment approaches for people with high blood pressure in more than a decade.

The Rasilez application includes data from more than 6,000 people with high blood pressure. Data from the Rasilez application shows that when used alone Rasilez produced very significant blood pressure reductions sustained over 24 hours. Sustained blood pressure reductions throughout the day, especially during the early morning hours when blood pressure surges occur is a potentially important benefit.

The sustained 24-hour blood pressure control achieved with once a day Rasilez is good news for people with high blood pressure. This novel medicine has the potential to redefine future treatment standards, and studies are now underway to evaluate the potential long-term benefits beyond blood pressure control.

Throughout the clinical program, Rasilez had shown placebo-like tolerability when used alone. When it is used with ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, or a diuretic, Rasilez delivered additional blood pressure reductions, helping people already on therapy to reach their blood pressure goals. In clinical studies, Rasilez was well tolerated when used with the most common diabetic and cardiovascular medications.

In the clinical trial program, Rasilez had consistently shown tolerability similar to placebo up to 300 mg. The most commonly reported adverse effect for Rasilez includes diarrhea, headache and nasopharyngitis. All drugs that act directly on the renin angiotensin system do carry a warning that they should not be used in pregnant women due to the risk of injury and even death to the fetus.