Berita Pers

Innovation of Combined Tablet Valsartan and Amlodipine Simplifies Treatment for Hypertention

Jakarta, 18 August 2007- Novartis introduces new innovation in the treatment for people suffering hypertension in the form of one tablet which is a combination two tablets usually given to people suffering hypertension. The tablet contains 2 active substance, which are amlodipine (a calcium channel blocker) and valsartan (a angiotensin receptor blocker) - which is consumed once a day, which has proven to improve patients obedience in consuming hypertension tablets.

Until now, the treatment for people suffering hypertension is viewed to be quite complicated as patients are often required to consume a number of tablets at once, several times a day. Besides having the potentiality to cause side effects, consuming many tablets can also make it difficult for patients to follow direction in consuming pills.

"“This combined tablet is a valuable innovation because it can simplify treatment for patents suffering hypertension, including improving their obedience in consuming tablets," said Prof. Dr. Jose Roesma, SpPD. KGH of Kidney Division and Hypertension, Internal Disease, FKUI Jakarta.

Based on two researches, the amlodipine-valsartan combined tablet helps up to nine out of 10 patients, reaching 'response rate', under which their diastolic blood pressure reach below 90 mmHG, or a declining of diastolic blood pressure by 10 mmHG or more compared to before treatment.

Other clinical research shows that the amlodipine-valsartan combined tablet proved its superior ability in reducing patients blood pressure compared to those groups that receive sole treatment of either amlodipine or valsartan.

"Dealing hypertension aggressively is very important. Novartis innovation in treating hypertension suffers so far has been positively welcome in Europe and the United States," said President of Novartis Indonesia, Albert Lim.

Combination of amlodipine-valsartan complementing each other, under which valsartan blocks angiotensin II, a hormone which cause blood vessel to tighten and narrow, while amlodipine prevent the entry of calcium on the cell of blood vessel wall, relaxing blood vessel so that blood flows easily, which ultimately reducing blood pressure.

During a clinic testing, it was found that the side effect that happened when consuming amlodipine-valsartan combined tablet, is generally lighter and temporary. The side effect that may happen, such as peripheral ederma, nasopharyngitis, infectious of nasotaring and mild headache.

Hypertension can damage artery, burdening the heart, kidney, brain and other vital organs. At present, hypertension attacked at least 29% of adult people in the US, and about one billion people in the world. The number of people suffering hypertension in the world is estimated to reach 1.6 billion before 2025.

The combined amlodipine-valsartan table has been approved in January 2007 by European Union and began to be marketed in the United States since last June. In the US, the combined amlodipine-valsartan tablet was given to patients suffering hypertension, who cannot be controlled by receptors angiotensin or calcium channel blocker. This can also be given to patients that suffering side effects of hypertension medicines, who needs reduction of dosage. The side effect of amlodipine that may happen such as swollen, feel loathing and skin turning red.