Open AccessThe Efficacy and Safety of Valsartan in Obese and Non‐Obese Pediatric Hypertensive Patients
Author(s) -
Meyers Kevin E. C.,
Lieberman Kenneth,
SolarYohay Susan,
Han Guangyang,
Shi Victor
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of clinical hypertension
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.909
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1751-7176
pISSN - 1524-6175
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-7176.2011.00502.x
Subject(s) - medicine , valsartan , tolerability , placebo , blood pressure , randomization , adverse effect , obesity , randomized controlled trial , alternative medicine , pathology
J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) . 2011;13:758–766. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. This post hoc analysis assessed the efficacy and tolerability of valsartan for the treatment of hypertension in obese vs non‐obese children and adolescents. After a 1‐week antihypertensive washout period, 142 obese and 119 non‐obese hypertensive children and adolescents aged 6 to 16 years were randomized to 2 weeks of once‐daily treatment with valsartan 10 to 20 mg, 40 to 80 mg, or 80 to 160 mg, followed by re‐randomization to either valsartan or placebo for an additional 2 weeks. Patients could continue to receive valsartan during an optional 52‐week, open‐label extension. Valsartan resulted in statistically significant ( P <.05) and clinically relevant reductions in mean sitting blood pressure (BP), ranging from approximately 7/4 mm Hg (valsartan 10–20 mg) to 13/9 mm Hg (valsartan 80–160 mg) in both obese and non‐obese patients. BP control was achieved in 44% of obese and 56% of non‐obese patients. Following re‐randomization, non‐obese patients experienced an increase in BP during placebo treatment, albeit levels remained below baseline, whereas BP reductions were maintained in valsartan recipients ( P <.05). The most frequent adverse events during the open‐label phase were headache and fever. Valsartan provides similar antihypertensive efficacy in obese and non‐obese hypertensive children and adolescents, with good tolerability in both patient populations.