A new experimental medication called lorundrostat has shown promise in lowering blood pressure in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology. Patients who took lorundrostat along with standard hypertension drugs saw an 8-point decrease in systolic blood pressure compared to those who received a placebo. Uncontrolled hypertension is linked to a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and kidney failure.
Lorundrostat is an aldosterone synthase inhibitor that works by reducing the synthesis of aldosterone, a hormone that controls salt retention in the body. In a Phase 2b clinical trial, patients taking lorundrostat in addition to standard medications saw a significant decrease in blood pressure. The drug is intended for patients whose hypertension is not controlled by existing treatments.
The study included a diverse group of participants, with more than half being Black patients, who are at higher risk for hypertension. The results of the trial showed a significant decrease in blood pressure among those taking lorundrostat. The drug is expected to be available for patients within the next 12 to 18 months pending FDA approval.
Although the drug showed promising results in lowering blood pressure, patients taking lorundrostat were more likely to develop high potassium levels, which could lead to abnormal heart rhythms. More research is needed to determine the long-term effects of the medication and compare its efficacy to other existing treatments for hypertension.
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