Pharmacokinetics, Safety Profile, and Efficacy of Aliskiren in Pediatric Patients With Hypertension

Abstract

Objective. To assess the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety profile of aliskiren in pediatric patients (6-17 years old) with hypertension. Methods. Patients were randomized to a single weight-based dose of either 2 mg/kg (n = 19) or 6 mg/kg (n = 20) of aliskiren daily for 8 days. The PK, pharmacodynamics, safety profile, and efficacy of aliskiren were assessed. Results. Of the 39 randomized patients, 37 (94.9%) completed the study. Aliskiren plasma concentration (maximum plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration–time curve) increased dose dependently, achieving peak concentrations in 1 to 2 hours, and tmax was comparable across the dose and age groups. Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were reported in 18 (46.2%) patients, with headache, abdominal pain, and nausea being the most frequent. Conclusions. Aliskiren 2 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg daily showed dose-dependent increases in the plasma concentration. The drug was well tolerated in hypertensive children aged 6 to 17 years. AEs were generally mild and not related to either the drug or the dose.