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Aliskiren

Aliskiren
Aliskiren.svg
Clinical data
Trade names Tekturna, Rasilez
AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph
MedlinePlus a607039
License data
Pregnancy
category
  • C in first trimester
    D in second and third trimesters
Routes of
administration
By mouth (tablets)
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability Low (approximately 2.5%)
Metabolism Hepatic, CYP3A4-mediated
Biological half-life 24 hours
Excretion Renal
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ECHA InfoCard 100.127.451
Chemical and physical data
Formula C30H53N3O6
Molar mass 551.758 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)
 NYesY (what is this?)  

Aliskiren (trade names Tekturna and Rasilez) is the first in a class of drugs called direct renin inhibitors. It is used for essential (primary) hypertension. While used for high blood pressure, other better studied medications are typically recommended due to concerns of higher side effects and less evidence of benefit.

In December 2011, Novartis halted a trial of the drug after discovering increased nonfatal stroke, kidney complications, high blood potassium, and low blood pressure in people with diabetes and kidney problems.

As a result, in April 20, 2012:

Aliskiren was co-developed by the Swiss pharmaceutical companies Novartis and Speedel.

While used for high blood pressure, other better studied medications are typically recommended.Prescrire has stated that aliskiren is potentially more harmful than beneficial and thus list it as of 2014 as a drug to avoid.

Renin, the first enzyme in the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, plays a role in blood pressure control. It cleaves angiotensinogen to angiotensin I, which is in turn converted by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II has both direct and indirect effects on blood pressure. It directly causes arterial smooth muscle to contract, leading to vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates the production of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex, which causes the tubules of the kidneys to increase reabsorption of sodium, with water following, thereby increasing plasma volume, and thus blood pressure. Aliskiren binds to the S3bp binding site of renin, essential for its activity. Binding to this pocket prevents the conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin I. Aliskiren is also available as combination therapy with hydrochlorothiazide.


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