An open-label Optional Titration Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy, Tolerability and Safety of Valsartan in Patients with Mild to Moderate Essential Hypertension Treated for 8 Weeks in the Lagos University Teaching Hospita

Abstract

An eight-week open-label optional titration trial to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and safety of Valsartan 80 mg/ & 160 mg once daily was carried out in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. There was a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure without reflex tachycardia. Only 5(8%) developed self limiting side effects known to be associated with the use of Valsartan. 3(5%) patients reported improvement in their quality of sleep. There were no significant changes in haematological counts. Biochemistry was normal at the end of the study except serum glutamate transaminase (SGPT) which although was found to be significantly higher at the end of the study, did not induce any clinical signs of symptoms or require therapeutic intervention. This study demonstrates the tolerability and efficacy of Valsartan in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension in Nigerians.

Key words: Valsartan, hypertension, Tolerability and efficacy.

Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol.47(4) 2005: 65-68