A Comparative Study of Efficacy & Safety of Aliskiren as an Add On Therapy to Olmesartan Versus Olmesartan Monotherapy in Patients with Hypertension

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of aliskiren as an add-on therapy to olmesartan versus olmesartanmonotherapy in patients with hypertension. Methods: A prospective, openlabeled, randomized, comparative, clinical study was conducted on 30 patients. The patients were randomly divided in two groups of 15 each to receive either of the following two treatments: Group I: Olmesartan 40mg OD as monotherapy andGroup II: Aliskiren 150mg ODas an add-on therapy to Olmesartan 40mg OD for 8 weeks. End points of efficacy were mean sitting SBP and DBP, mean standing SBP and DBP, mean recumbent SBP and DBP, and 24-hr proteinuria which were assessed at 0, 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Results: There was statistically significant reduction (p<0.001) in mean blood pressure (mm Hg) in both the groups over a period of 8 weeks. However, on comparing both the groups at 8 weeks, more fall in BP was observed in group II as compared to group I. The values of mean reduction in BP in group II Vs group I respectively are as follows: mean sitting SBP (29.73 Vs 21.06), mean sitting DBP (14 Vs 11.06), mean standing SBP (28.53 Vs 24.13), mean standing DBP (13.86 Vs 10.8), mean recumbent SBP (29.46 Vs 25.86) and mean recumbent DBP (13.73 Vs 10.8). Moreover, reduction in 24-hr proteinuria (g/day) was also more in group II as compared to group I (0.06 Vs 0.04) respectively. Conclusion: Thus combination therapy of olmesartan and aliskiren produces additional reduction in blood pressure compared to monotherapy and has better anti-proteinuric effect.