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Emerging Uses of FDA-Approved Drugs
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Emerging Uses of FDA-Approved Drugs
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Hypertension Drug (Irbesartan, Avapro, Bristol-MyersSquibb / Sanofi-Synthelabo) Slows Diabetic Kidney Failure Irbesartan (Avapro) slows the development of kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study presented on June 19 at the 11th European Society of Hypertension Annual Meeting. Dr. Lawrence G. Hunsicker, Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, said the trial results show "striking and clear evidence" for the use of irbesartan for these patients. The IDNT (Irbesartan Diabetic Nephropathy Trial) enrolled 1715 type 2 diabetic patients ages 30 to 70. Patients received irbesartan 300 mg/day single dose, the calcium channel blocker amlodipine 10 mg/day single dose, or placebo. The average length of patient follow-up was 36 months. According to Dr. Hunsicker, "Irbesartan did substantially better than either amlodipine and placebo on the primary end point." Specifically, irbesartan was associated with a 20 percent relative risk reduction of progression to end-stage kidney disease and death, compared to placebo. Amlodipine did not differ from placebo in relevant disease measurements or deaths. Dr. Hunsicker said, "there are about 550,000 patients in the US with type 2 diabetes fulfilling IDNT criteria. If they were treated with irbesartan, we would expect to avoid ESRD (end-stage renal disease) in about 35,000 patients. This would results in a savings of $2.5 billion over the next three years, and that is just for dialysis care alone."
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