Parsippany, NJ (May 27, 2005) Data from two clinical studies presented at the American Society of Hypertension's Twentieth Annual Scientific Meeting (ASH 2005) in San Francisco demonstrated that BENICAR (olmesartan medoxomil) and BENICAR HCT (olmesartan medoxomil/hydrochlorothiazide) were effective in treating the difficult patient with Stage 2** hypertension, as well as the less complicated Stage 1** patient, helping both achieve nationally recognized blood pressure goals.

The first presentation, titled BENICAR Efficacy in Systolic Hypertension Trial (BEST), demonstrated that a BENICAR based treatment algorithm significantly reduced mean systolic blood pressure in a stage 2 systolic hypertensive population. Results demonstrated that BENICAR HCT (BENICAR 40 mg/25mg HCTZ once daily) decreased the systolic blood pressure level by approximately 35 mm Hg on average, resulting in 70% of patients who had a mean baseline blood pressure of 171/95 mm Hg reaching the blood pressure goal of less than 140/90 mm Hg.

The second presentation, titled Treatment of Stage 1 and Stage 2 Hypertension Utilizing An Olmesartan Medoxomil-Based Treatment Algorithm was a secondary analysis of data based on an earlier study evaluating BENICAR. This analysis demonstrated that a BENICAR based treatment algorithm was effective in helping Stage 1 and Stage 2 patients reach their blood pressure goal. In Stage 1 patients, 89% of the eligible patient cohort taking BENICAR or BENICAR HCT reached the more aggressive blood pressure goal of less than or equal to 130/85 mm Hg. Of the total Stage 1 patients, 56% reached goal on BENICAR monotherapy alone. Of the total Stage 2 patients, more than half (54%) reached goal on BENICAR or BENICAR HCT.

"I believe that blood pressure reduction to goal or better should be the primary health concern for all patients, and that we as physicians need to be aware of the importance of achieving these goals outlined in JNC 7***," said Joseph Izz
'"/>

Contact: Julia Lamm
julia.lamm@hillandknowlton.com
212-885-0413
Hill and Knowlton
27-May-2005

Page: 1 2 3 4 5
Related biology news :

1. New study demonstrates important role of glia in circadian timing
2. Researchers demonstrate way to control tree height
3. Stowers Institutes Workman Lab demonstrates mechanism for decoding histone modification marks
4. Iowa State scientists demonstrate first use of nanotechnology to enter plant cells
5. Enhanced MR-guided focused ultrasound guidelines demonstrate improved efficacy and durability
6. BEMA Fentanyl demonstrates substantial transmucosal delivery
7. Oncolytics Biotech Inc., research collaborators demonstrate reovirus/gemcitabine
8. Virtual duck bills demonstrate species coexistence
9. Xie Lab demonstrates the role of microRNA pathway
10. Rong Li Lab demonstrates the process of mammalian egg maturation
11. Einstein researchers demonstrate a novel approach to treating AIDS