Aliskiren

Aliskiren
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(2S,4S,5S,7S)-5-amino-N-(2-carbamoyl-2,2-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxy-7-{[4-methoxy-3-(3-methoxypropoxy)phenyl]methyl}-8-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)nonanamide
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com monograph
MedlinePlus a607039
Licence data EMA:Link, US FDA:link
  • C in first trimester
    D in second and third trimesters
PO (oral)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability Low (approximately 2.5%)
Metabolism Hepatic, CYP3A4-mediated
Half-life 24 hours
Excretion Renal
Identifiers
173334-57-1 Yes
C09XA02
C09XA52 (with HCT)
PubChem CID 5493444
DrugBank DB01258 Yes
ChemSpider 4591452 
UNII 502FWN4Q32 Yes
KEGG D03208 Yes
ChEBI CHEBI:601027 
ChEMBL CHEMBL1639 
Chemical data
Formula C30H53N3O6
551.758 g/mol
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Aliskiren (INN) (trade names Tekturna, US; Rasilez, UK and elsewhere) is the first in a class of drugs called direct renin inhibitors. Its current licensed indication is essential (primary) hypertension.[1] While used for high blood pressure, other better studied medications are typically recommended due to concerns of higher side effects and less evidence of benefit.[2]

In December 2011, Novartis halted a clinical trial of the drug after discovering increased incidence of nonfatal stroke, kidney complications, high blood potassium, and low blood pressure in people with diabetes and kidney impairment.[3][4]

As a result, in April 20, 2012:

Aliskiren was co-developed by the Swiss pharmaceutical companies Novartis and Speedel.[5][6]

Medical uses

While used for high blood pressure, other better studied medications are typically recommended.[2] Prescrire has stated that aliskiren is potentially more harmful than beneficial and thus list it as of 2014 as a drug to avoid.[2]

Mechanism of action

Renin, the first enzyme in the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, plays a role in blood pressure control. It cleaves angiotensinogen to angiotensin I, which is in turn converted by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II has both direct and indirect effects on blood pressure. It directly causes arterial smooth muscle to contract, leading to vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates the production of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex, which causes the tubules of the kidneys to increase reabsorption of sodium, with water following, thereby increasing plasma volume, and thus blood pressure. Aliskiren binds to the S3bp binding site of renin, essential for its activity.[7] Binding to this pocket prevents the conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin I. Aliskiren is also available as combination therapy with hydrochlorothiazide.[8]

Adverse effects

Contraindications

Drug interactions

Aliskiren is a minor substrate of CYP3A4 and, more importantly, P-glycoprotein:

Rationale for design

Many drugs control blood pressure by interfering with angiotensin or aldosterone. However, when these drugs are used chronically, the body increases renin production, which drives blood pressure up again. Therefore, doctors have been looking for a drug to inhibit renin directly. Aliskiren is the first drug to do so.[12][13]

References

  1. "First Hypertension Drug to Inhibit Kidney Enzyme Approved". CBC. 2007-03-06. Retrieved 2007-03-14.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Towards better patient care: drugs to avoid in 2014". Prescrire International 23 (150): 161–165. June 2014.
  3. Healthzone.ca: Blood-pressure drug reviewed amid dangerous side effects
  4. Parving, Hans-Henrik; Brenner, M.D., Ph.D., Barry M.; McMurray, M.D., John J.V.; de Zeeuw, M.D., Ph.D., Dick; Haffner, M.D., Steven M.; Solomon, M.D., Scott D.; Chaturvedi, M.D., Nish; Persson, M.D., Frederik; Desai, M.D., M.P.H., Akshay S.; Nicolaides, M.D., Maria; Richard, M.Sc., Alexia; Xiang, Ph.D., Zhihua; Brunel, M.D., Patrick; Pfeffer, M.D., Ph.D. last15=for the ALTITUDE Investigators, Marc A. (2012). "Cardiorenal End Points in a Trial of Aliskiren for Type 2 Diabetes". NEJM 367 (23): 2204–13. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1208799. PMID 23121378.
  5. Gradman A, Schmieder R, Lins R, Nussberger J, Chiang Y, Bedigian M (2005). "Aliskiren, a novel orally effective renin inhibitor, provides dose-dependent antihypertensive efficacy and placebo-like tolerability in hypertensive patients". Circulation 111 (8): 1012–8. doi:10.1161/01.CIR.0000156466.02908.ED. PMID 15723979.
  6. Straessen JA, Li Y, and Richart T (2006). "Oral Renin Inhibitors". Lancet 368 (9545): 1449–56. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69442-7. PMID 17055947.
  7. "Chemistry & Biology : Structure-based drug design: the discovery of novel nonpeptide orally active inhibitors of human renin". ScienceDirect. Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  8. Baldwin CM, Plosker GL.. doi:10.2165/00003495-200969070-00004. Drugs 2009; 69(7):833-841.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Drugs.com: Tekturna
  10. Cardiorenal end points in a trial of aliskiren for type 2 diabetes, N Engl J MED. 2012;367(23):2204-2213
  11. European Medicines Agency recommends new contraindications and warnings for aliskiren-containing medicines.
  12. Ingelfinger JR (June 2008). "Aliskiren and dual therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus". N. Engl. J. Med. 358 (23): 2503–5. doi:10.1056/NEJMe0803375. PMID 18525047.
  13. PharmaXChange: Direct Renin Inhibitors as Antihypertensive Drugs

External links