Clinical utility of valsartan in the treatment of hypertension in children and adolescents

Figures & data

Table 1 Angiotensin receptor blockers

Generic name	Trade name	Half life^a (metabolite)	Pediatric FDA approval	Dosing	Generic form
Valsartan	Diovan	6 hours	Yes	80–160 mg	No
Losartan	Cozaar	2 (6–9) hours	Yes	50 mg	Yes
Irbesartan^b	Avapro	11–15 hours	No	150–300 mg	No
Telmisartan	Micardis	24 hours	No	40–80 mg	No
Candesartan cilexetil	Atacand	9 hours	Yes	4–32 mg	No
Eprosartan	Teveten	5–9 hours	No	400–800 mg	No
Olmesartan	Benicar	13 hours	Yes	10–40 mg	No

Notes:

a From www.medscape.com;

b Irbesartan in a study at a dose of up to 4.5 mg/kg/day once daily did not appear to lower blood pressure effectively in pediatric patients aged 6 to 16 years. Avapro has not been studied in pediatric patients less than 6 years old.

Figure 1 Effects of ACE and ARB on the renin angiotensin system.

Abbreviations: ACE, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; ARB, angiotensin receptor blocker; SVR, systemic vascular resistance.

Table 2 Results of randomized, double-blind clinical studies on the safety and effectiveness of valsartan in children

Valsartan dose group	Dose according to patients’ weight (mg)		Blood pressure reduction (mmHg)
	Wells et al^Citation29
	<35 kg	≥35 kg	SBP	DBP
Low dose	10	20	7.9	4.6
Medium dose	40	80	9.6	5.8
High dose	80	160	11.5	7.4
	Flynn et al
	<18 kg	≥18 kg	SBP	DBP
Low dose	5	10	8.4	5.5
Medium dose	20	40	8.3	6.4
High dose	40	80	8.6	5.5

Abbreviations: DBP, diastolic blood pressure; SBP, systolic blood pressure.

WellsTBlumerJLitwinMSafety and effectiveness of valsartan in hypertensive children ages 6–16 yearsJ Clin Hypertens (Greenwich)200795 Suppl AA79A80

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