Jürgen Scholze1, Angie Schaefer, Reinhold Kreutz. 1. Centrum für Innere Medizin, Direktor Medizinische Poliklinik, Campus Mitte, Luisenstr. 11 - 13, 10117 Berlin, Germany. juergen.scholze@charite.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Angiotensin type 1 receptor blockers are recommended for first-line antihypertensive treatment. METHODS: We performed a pooled-analysis of 20 post-authorization surveys of olmesartan involving 156,682 hypertensive patients. Olmesartan was used as monotherapy or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs, for example, hydrochlorothiazide. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the safety of olmesartan by monitoring adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The number of patients achieving systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) targets (< 140/90 mmHg in the overall population, < 130/80 mmHg in high-risk patients) or responding to treatment (BP decrease of ≥ 20/10 mmHg) was also determined. RESULTS: In all, 43.8% of patients received olmesartan monotherapy, 29% olmesartan with hydrochlorothiazide and 27.2% olmesartan in combination with other antihypertensives. The frequency of ADRs was 0.4% and not altered by dose, age ≥ 65 years or presence of co-morbidities. About 90% of patients were responders. Blood pressure targets were achieved in 52.8 and 35.7% of patients without risk factors and in the overall cohort, but only in 8.1 and 27.5% of patients with renal dysfunction or taking NSAIDs. CONCLUSION: Olmesartan was very well tolerated. Responder rates to olmesartan were high, although BP targets were only achieved in a minority of patients at high risk, with renal dysfunction or taking NSAIDs.
BACKGROUND: Angiotensin type 1 receptor blockers are recommended for first-line antihypertensive treatment. METHODS: We performed a pooled-analysis of 20 post-authorization surveys of olmesartan involving 156,682 hypertensivepatients. Olmesartan was used as monotherapy or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs, for example, hydrochlorothiazide. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the safety of olmesartan by monitoring adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The number of patients achieving systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) targets (< 140/90 mmHg in the overall population, < 130/80 mmHg in high-risk patients) or responding to treatment (BP decrease of ≥ 20/10 mmHg) was also determined. RESULTS: In all, 43.8% of patients received olmesartan monotherapy, 29% olmesartan with hydrochlorothiazide and 27.2% olmesartan in combination with other antihypertensives. The frequency of ADRs was 0.4% and not altered by dose, age ≥ 65 years or presence of co-morbidities. About 90% of patients were responders. Blood pressure targets were achieved in 52.8 and 35.7% of patients without risk factors and in the overall cohort, but only in 8.1 and 27.5% of patients with renal dysfunction or taking NSAIDs. CONCLUSION:Olmesartan was very well tolerated. Responder rates to olmesartan were high, although BP targets were only achieved in a minority of patients at high risk, with renal dysfunction or taking NSAIDs.