Efficacy of aliskiren/hydrochlorothiazide single-pill combinations in aliskiren non-responders.

Objectives. To evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of a single-pill combination of the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) in patients with hypertension and an inadequate BP response to aliskiren monotherapy (mean sitting diastolic BP [msDBP] >90 and ≤110 mmHg following 4 weeks of aliskiren 300 mg). Methods. In this study, 880 patients with hypertension and an inadequate BP response to aliskiren monotherapy were randomized to once-daily, double-blind treatment with a single-pill combination of aliskiren/HCT 300/25 mg or 300/12.5 mg, or aliskiren 300 mg monotherapy. At the week 8 endpoint, least-squares mean changes in mean sitting systolic/diastolic BP (msSBP/DBP) from baseline were analyzed for the intent-to-treat population. Results. Aliskiren/HCT 300/25 mg and 300/12.5 mg provided significantly greater msSBP/DBP reductions from baseline (15.9/11.0 mmHg and 13.5/10.5 mmHg, respectively) than aliskiren 300 mg alone (8.0/7.4 mmHg; both p<0.001). Rates of BP control (<140/90 mmHg) were significantly higher with aliskiren/HCT 300/25 mg (60.2%) and 300/12.5 mg (57.9%) than with aliskiren 300 mg alone (40.9%; both p<0.001). Aliskiren/HCT single-pill combination treatment showed similar tolerability to aliskiren monotherapy. Conclusions. Aliskiren/HCT single-pill combinations provide clinically significant additional BP reductions and improved BP control rates over aliskiren alone in patients who are non-responsive to aliskiren 300 mg monotherapy.