Researchers presented promising findings at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology regarding a new medication, lorundrostat, that may help lower blood pressure in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. In a Phase 2b clinical trial, patients who took lorundrostat along with two or three standard hypertension drugs experienced a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure compared to those who took a placebo. The drug works by blocking the production of aldosterone, a hormone that affects salt levels and blood pressure.
The study, led by Dr. Luke Laffin, involved 285 adults with uncontrolled hypertension, with a focus on recruiting Black patients who are at higher risk. The results showed a meaningful reduction in blood pressure with the lower dose of lorundrostat, while increasing the dose did not improve outcomes. The drug is close to being considered for approval by the Food and Drug Administration, with Phase 3 trials completed and pending publication of results.
Experts emphasize the importance of long-term studies and monitoring for potential side effects, such as high potassium levels. Despite the promising results, further research is needed to explore the comparative effectiveness of lorundrostat with other medications targeting aldosterone. Overall, the new medication offers hope for improving blood pressure control in patients with hypertension who do not respond to current treatment options. The drug has the potential to become available within the next 12 to 18 months.
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