Over 1.28 billion adults suffer from hypertension worldwide. Battling this 'silent killer' requires constant monitoring and lifestyle changes. However, the United States based company through a new drug is developing a more convenient method to manage and ease lives of those with high blood pressure.
The recent study published in the University of Edinburgh website claims that a new drug 'zilebesiran' could help lower persistent high blood pressure for up to six months following a single injection.
With many not consistent with their prescribed medicines, managing hypertension is extremely difficult.
Experts point out that the better management of the high blood pressure could reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack and premature death.
The University of Edinburgh's Centre for Cardiovascular Science ran the early stage clinical trials across four UK sites.
“It was found that the patients who received zilebesiran experienced a substantial reduction in systolic blood pressure. On average, systolic blood pressure lowered by over 10 mmHg at a 200mg dose or more of the drug, and more than 20 mmHg at the highest dose of 800mg. A drop of this size can take someone with high blood pressure to within a much safer range,” said the trial report cited in the website.
The study also found that the drop in blood pressure seen in patients who were treated with zilebesiran was consistent over 24 hours.
As many as 107 patients with hypertension took part in the trial – 80 received a single injection of zilebesiran under the skin, while 32 received a placebo containing no active ingredients. Five patients who initially received the placebo were later moved to zilebesiran, it added.
The drug is developed by US-based company Alnylam. Zilebesiran works by preventing the production of angiotensin – a hormone in the body that narrows blood vessels, leading to raised blood pressure, it added.
Among existing drugs, angiotension is used to treat hypertension.
"This is a potentially major development in hypertension. There has not been a new class of drug licensed for the treatment of high blood pressure in the last 17 years. This novel approach leads to a substantial reduction in blood pressure, both by day and night, that lasts for around six months after a single injection. This is attractive because it helps avoid the difficulty with adherence to treatment seen with current medicines. The next stage of clinical trials will focus on developing robust safety data, and broader evidence of efficacy, before zilebesiran can be licensed for use,” said Professor David Webb
Christison Chair of Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh, who led the Edinburgh study site.
Managing hypertension is crucial as there may not be a clear-cut symptoms to identify it. The main way is to check the blood pressure.
Older age, genetics, obesity, being inactive, high-salt diet and drinking too much alcohol are some of the possible reasons behind the condition.
According to experts, adopting a healthy lifestyle is the key to tackle hypertension. Hypertension can cause serious damages to other vital organs. Excessive pressure can harden arteries affecting the heart. It will in turn decrease the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart as well.
Hypertension can also burst arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain, causing a stroke. If too high, hypertension can cause kidney damage, leading to kidney failure as well.
Several common blood pressure medicines--ACE inhibitors including enalapril and lisinopril relax blood vessels and prevent kidney damage.
According to World Health Organisation, an estimated 46 per cent of adults with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition. It is also cited as a major cause of premature death worldwide.
However, one in five adults diagnosed with hypertension have it under control and take prescribed medicines promptly.
