Question - What are the possible risks when using blood pressure medicines containing the renin inhibitor aliskiren in conjunction with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in patients with diabetes or renal impairment?
Answer - The so-called ALTITUDE study (Aliskiren Trial in Type 2 Diabetes Using Cardio-Renal Endpoints) reported “the risks of kidney impairment, hypotension, and hyperkalemia in patients taking aliskiren plus an ARB or ACEI were increased relative to a group of patients taking placebo plus an ARB or ACEI. (https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm300889.htm; accessed September 2018)
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