High blood pressure is a common health problem that affects millions of people around the world. It’s often treated with daily medication, but many people struggle to take their pills regularly. In fact, more than half of patients forget or skip doses, which can make it harder to control the condition.
When blood pressure stays high for too long, it increases the risk of serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and early death.
To help solve this problem, scientists are working on a new medicine called zilebesiran—and it could be a game-changer. This new drug is currently being tested by researchers from several institutions, including the University of Edinburgh.
What makes zilebesiran different is that it only needs to be taken once every six months as a simple injection. Despite such infrequent dosing, it has shown strong results in lowering blood pressure over a long period.
In a recent UK study, 107 people with high blood pressure took part in a trial. Out of these, 80 people received a single shot of zilebesiran, while the rest were given a placebo (a harmless fake treatment used for comparison). The results were impressive.
People who received 200mg or more of zilebesiran saw their systolic blood pressure (the top number in a reading) drop by over 10 mmHg. Those who got the highest dose—800mg—experienced a drop of more than 20 mmHg. This level of improvement could bring many patients into a healthier, safer blood pressure range.
So how does zilebesiran work? The drug was developed by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in the U.S. It works by targeting a hormone in the body called angiotensin, which raises blood pressure by tightening the blood vessels. Zilebesiran stops the body from making angiotensinogen, a protein in the liver that helps produce angiotensin.
The drug uses a method called gene silencing to switch off the gene that creates this protein. With less angiotensin being made, the blood vessels stay more relaxed, and blood pressure goes down.
Professor David Webb, one of the lead researchers from the University of Edinburgh, said this drug could be a major step forward in treating high blood pressure.
He pointed out that it’s been 17 years since a new kind of blood pressure medication was introduced, and zilebesiran could make it much easier for people to stick to their treatment. Instead of remembering to take a pill every day, they would only need a quick injection twice a year.
Of course, more research is needed to make sure zilebesiran is safe in the long term and works well for all types of patients. The next phase of testing will involve larger groups of people and longer follow-up periods. If these tests go well, the drug could eventually be approved for widespread use.
The study results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, one of the world’s leading medical journals. They offer real hope for people who find it hard to manage their high blood pressure through daily medication.
In summary, zilebesiran might be the future of blood pressure treatment—simple, effective, and long-lasting. While we wait for more data, this breakthrough reminds us how innovation in medicine can improve not only health outcomes but also the day-to-day lives of patients.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that black licorice could cause dangerous high blood pressure, and this common plant nutrient could help reduce high blood pressure.
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