News - Hypertension Week of August 3, 2003/ Vol. 2 No. 31

Study: Blood Pressure Drug Valsartan Equally Effective Morning or Night

The anti-hypertension drug valsartan is equally as effective against high blood pressure whether taken at night or in the morning, according to a study reported in the July 21 on-line issue of Hypertension.

Valsartan, whose brand name is Diovan®, is an angiotensin II receptor blocker that works by blocking the action of certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels and hinder blood flow.

The study involved 90 men and women with hypertension who received 160 milligrams a day of valsartan either upon awakening in the morning or when retiring for bed in the evening.

Through ambulatory monitoring, the participants' blood pressure was measured every 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes at night for 48 consecutive hours before and after treatment.

The researchers found highly significant reductions in the blood pressure of those on valsartan whether taken at night or in the morning. Those who took the drug in the morning had average systolic reductions of 17.0 points and diastolic reductions of 11.3 points, while those taking it at bedtime had systolic reductions of 14.6 and dystolic reductions of 11.4.

"The findings confirm that valsartan efficiently reduces blood pressure throughout the entire 24 hours, independent of treatment time," concluded the researchers.

Other sources: Hypertension