A new medication could soon revolutionize hypertension treatment. Scientists have reported that lorundrostat, a novel drug under clinical development, can reduce high blood pressure by up to 15 points in just weeks. The findings come from a Phase II trial conducted across multiple centers in the United States, including participants from UC San Diego Health.
The trial involved 285 patients, with those taking lorundrostat experiencing significantly greater reductions in systolic blood pressure compared to those on a placebo. At the four-week mark, 42% of participants on lorundrostat achieved blood pressure control, compared to only 19% in the placebo group.
Lorundrostat belongs to a new class of medications known as aldosterone synthase inhibitors (ASI), which target the body’s production of aldosterone a hormone linked to elevated blood pressure. Researchers noted that while some patients experienced mild side effects such as increased potassium levels and minor kidney function changes, these were consistent with the drug’s mechanism of action.
Hypertension remains one of the top global causes of heart disease and stroke. Lorundrostat’s ability to address treatment-resistant cases offers a promising avenue for those unresponsive to conventional therapies.
A larger, pivotal trial is already underway, with results expected later this year. If successful, lorundrostat could soon join the global arsenal against cardiovascular disease.