Research Activities, December 2011: Announcements: Updated report compares the effectiveness and risks of popular hypertension medications

Updated report compares the effectiveness and risks of popular hypertension medications

A new, updated review from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) compares the effectiveness and risks of popular hypertension medications. The review concludes that there is insufficient evidence to support a clinically meaningful difference in long-term outcomes associated with the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs), and direct renin inhibitors in individuals with essential hypertension, and calls for further research in the field.

A 2007 AHRQ research review compared two leading categories of treatment for high blood pressure—ACEIs and ARBs. The 2011 update, Comparative Effectiveness of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEIs), Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists (ARBs), and Direct Renin Inhibitors for Treating Essential Hypertension, includes new data comparing a third category—direct renin inhibitors. AHRQ also has released new clinician and consumer summaries of the review.

The research review, patient summary, clinician summary, continuing medical education activity, faculty slide set, and other materials are available on AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program Web site at http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/.
Research Activities, December 2011: Announcements: Updated report compares the effectiveness and risks of popular hypertension medications