Affordable ACE inhibitor launched

More than seven million Filipinos have high blood pressure, according to a study by the Philippine Society of Hypertension. However, only one of every 10 hypertensive individuals is receiving adequate treatment. The main reason: the high cost of anti-hypertensive medicines.

Pascual Laboratories Inc., a fast-growing national pharmaceutical company, recently launched a more affordable enalapril, an antihypertensive drug belonging to the ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor group

In a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, enalapril was found to be highly effective in reducing diastolic and systolic blood pressure. The study also noted that enalapril is safe and well-tolerated.

Similar efficacy and safety findings from a study of over 4,000 patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction – a condition where the left ventricle of the heart functions abnormally which can lead to heart failure – was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The SOLVD (Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction) Prevention Study showed that enalapril helped delay the development of heart failure and reduce the rate of hospitalization among the patients enrolled in the study. A decrease on mortality from cardiovascular events was also noted.

Lifestyle modification, including diet, exercise, relaxation techniques and weight reduction to ideal body weight, is still the first choice in managing hypertension.

However, physicians say that lifestyle changes may not be enough to control high blood pressure and may require an anti-hypertension medication.

It is also important to take a anti-hypertension drug daily because missing on medication can cause a sudden, life-threatening increase in blood pressure.

According to Pascual Laboratories, its brand of enalapril will be sold at half the price of its closest competitor. Enalapril is available by prescription only.

For additional safety information, one should talk to their doctor about this medicine. For more information, call Pascual Laboratories at 920-1911 local 146 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.