thepharmaletter.com (01/15/2012)
Researchers at St Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Canada, have published a study showing the risk of using drug major Novartis’prescription drug Rasilez (aliskiren), a renin inhibitor licensed for the treatment of essential hypertension, in combination with certain other blood pressure-lowering medications. Novartis terminated a large, international clinical trial of the drug - dubbed ALTITUDE - last month after finding an increased incidence after 18-24 months of non-fatal strokes, renal complications, high levels of potassium in the blood and low blood pressure. Since then, the firm has said it will take a $900 million charge against fourth-quarter 2011 earnings in light of the study.

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