What are aliskiren-containing medicines?

Aliskiren-containing medicines are used to treat essential hypertension (high blood pressure) in adults. ‘Essential’ means that the hypertension has no obvious cause.

Aliskiren is a renin inhibitor. It blocks the activity of a human enzyme called renin, which is involved in the production of a substance called angiotensin I in the body. Angiotensin I is converted into the hormone angiotensin II, which is a powerful vasoconstrictor (a substance that narrows blood vessels). By blocking the production of angiotensin I, levels of both angiotensin I and angiotensin II fall. This causes vasodilation (widening of the blood vessels), so that the blood pressure drops.

Eight aliskiren-containing medicines have been authorised in the European Union (EU) since 2007: Rasilamlo, Rasilez, Rasilez HCT, Rasitrio, Riprazo, Riprazo HCT, Sprimeo and Sprimeo HCT. Some of these medicines (Rasilamlo, Rasilez HCT, Rasitrio, Riprazo HCT and Sprimeo HCT) are combinations of aliskiren with other antihypertensive medicines. Aliskiren-containing medicines are available as tablets and marketed in all European Union (EU) Member States, except Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania.