Aliskiren is a newly developed blood pressure lowering drug. It works by inhibiting renin in humans, which is responsible for the production of angiotensin; inhibition of renin is shown to reduce blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure.
Aliskiren can be used alone, or in combination with other blood pressure lowering agents.

Aliskiren is registered as Rasilez^® in Hong Kong.
It is also registered in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but with the brand name Tekturna^®.

Aliskiren is available as film-coated tablets with 2 strengths available:

• 150mg - light-pink in colour, with IL imprint on the tablet
• 300mg - light-red in colour, with IU imprint on the tablet

• you are using cyclosporine, a drug that suppresses your immune system
• you are female and you are now pregnant (or may become pregnant) or breast-feeding
• you are allergic to the drug or any of the ingredients

• Using Aliskiren duriong pregnancy may cause injury or even death to the foetus.
  Report to your doctor and discontiune Aliskiren as soon as pregnancy is detected.
• Symptoms of hypotension, including severe dizziness and fainting, maybe observed after initiation of Aliskiren. If this occurs, let the patient to lie down, and admit to the hospital if these symptoms continue.
• Aliskiren should be stored in a dry place at room temperture. Refrigeration is not required.
• Store Aliskiren tablets in the original bottle. Do not remove the drying agent inside.
• Keep Aliskiren out of reach of children.

Incidence of adverse events in Aliskiren treatment is low.
Side effects of aliskiren are usually mild and transient, and can be resolved spontaneously.

When used in normal dose range, common side effects include:

• abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea
• headache, dizziness
• rash, cough

If these side effects persist, please consult your doctor.

You should also seek medical attention immediately if the following serious adverse events occur:

• swelling in face, lips, throat and tongue
• difficulty in breathing and/or swallowing
• signs of hypotension (blood pressure going too low), including severe dizziness and fainting

Aliskiren may interact wit a number of 18 February, 2009

Cyclosporine, a drug that suppresses the immunue system

Ketoconazole, an anti-fungal agent

Other blood pressure lowering drugs, including (but not limited to):

• Diuretics - Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide
• Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors - Ramipril
• Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) - Irbesartan, Valsartan
• Calcium Channel Blockers - Amlodipine

Atorvastatin, a cholesterol lowering agent

Furthermore, interaction studies on Aliskiren with food and herbs are lacking.
Patients taking Aliskiren are advised to consult their doctors or pharmacists before taking other drugs (including prescription and over-the-counter drugs) or health supplements.

Aliskiren should be taken once daily, at the same time everyday. It can be taken with or without food.

Click here for the prescribing information of Aliskiren (PDF file)