Video and Photo: Tekturna HCT(R), a Single-tablet Combination of Tekturna(R)* and a Diuretic, Receives US Approval for Treatment of High Bloo...( - Tekturna HCT combines first appr...)

- Tekturna HCT combines first approved direct renin inhibitor with the

diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in a single tablet

- Data show combination of Tekturna and HCTZ resulted in significant

additional blood pressure reductions compared to either drug alone

- Many treated patients are not at goal and most require two or more medicines - single-tablet combinations simplify treatment by reducing

number of pills patients take

EAST HANOVER, N.J., Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Tekturna HCT(R) (aliskiren and hydrochlorothiazide) tablets has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a single-tablet combination of two high blood pressure medicines -- Tekturna(R) (aliskiren), the first approved direct renin inhibitor, and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/novartis/31084/

The two medicines in this single-tablet combination work together to lower blood pressure, with clinical data showing that the combination of Tekturna and HCTZ offers greater blood pressure reductions than either component alone.

This is the first regulatory approval of a single-tablet combination therapy involving Tekturna, known as Rasilez(R) outside the US. HCT, sometimes called a "water pill", is one of the most commonly-used high blood pressure medicines. Tekturna HCT is approved for patients not controlled by either medicine alone but should not be used before other medications have been tried first.

"Current guidelines call for aggressive treatment of high blood pressure because approximately 40% of treated patients are still not controlled," said Alan Gradman, MD, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. "Tekturna HCT offers patients an effective new treatment option with signific
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