What Is Aliskiren Used For?

Aliskiren can be used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. The medication is only approved for use in adults, and works by preventing the blood vessels from becoming narrow. By lowering blood pressure, aliskiren can help prevent heart problems, such as heart disease, strokes, and congestive heart failure. There are no off-label aliskiren uses at this time.

 

What Is Aliskiren Used For? -- An Overview

 Aliskiren hemifumarate (Tekturna®) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). It is the first medication classified as a renin inhibitor.
 
A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers -- for example, 120/80 (read as "120 over 80"). The top number is the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. High blood pressure is defined as an average blood pressure higher than 140/90, with multiple blood pressure readings (although many healthcare providers consider anything above 120/80 too high). A single blood pressure reading may point to a potential problem, but it is not enough to diagnose high blood pressure.
 
Based on clinical studies, aliskiren has been shown to significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. By lowering blood pressure, aliskiren can decrease the risk of developing health problems that can occur with long-term high blood pressure, such as stroke, heart disease, or congestive heart failure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). Aliskiren is not a cure for high blood pressure, and high blood pressure will almost certainly return once you stop taking the drug. Aliskiren can be used alone or in combination with other blood pressure medicines.
 
(What Is Aliskiren Used For? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;