BRISTOL, Tenn., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported that the results from the Prevention of Events with Angiotensin-Converting-Enzyme Inhibitors (PEACE) trial were released yesterday at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association (AHA). PEACE -- a large-scale, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial -- evaluated whether patients with stable coronary artery disease and normal or slightly reduced left ventricular function derive therapeutic benefit from the addition of the angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor trandolapril 4 mg to modern conventional therapy. Data from the PEACE trial failed to demonstrate that trandolapril confers such a benefit.
Conversely, data from the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) trial, released five years ago at the AHA annual meeting, successfully demonstrated that King’s ACE inhibitor, Altace(R) (ramipril) 10 mg, significantly reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death by an average of 22 percent in patients age 55 and older at high risk for developing a cardiovascular event. Based on data from the large-scale (9,541 patients), randomized, placebo-controlled HOPE trial, Altace(R) is the only ACE inhibitor indicated for the reduction in risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and death from cardiovascular causes in patients age 55 and older who are at high risk of developing a cardiovascular event due to a history of coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, or diabetes accompanied by at least one other cardiovascular risk factor.
Charles L. Pamplin, III, M.D., Vice President, Medical Affairs of King Pharmaceuticals, commented, “The results from the PEACE trial allow for the possibility that there is no class effect among ACE inhibitors.”
About Altace(R)
Altace(R) is indicated in patients 55 years or older at high risk of developing a major cardiovascular event, either because of a history of coronary artery disease, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease or because of diabetes that is accompanied by at least one other cardiovascular risk factor (hypertension, elevated total cholesterol levels, low HDL levels, cigarette smoking, or documented microalbuminuria), to reduce the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, or death from cardiovascular causes. Altace(R) can be used in addition to other needed treatments (such as antihypertensive, antiplatelet, or lipid-lowering therapies).
Prescription Altace(R) is not for everyone. Altace(R) may cause swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which could cause extremely serious risk and require immediate medical care. Altace(R) may lower blood sugar among patients taking medicine for diabetes. Patients should contact their doctor if they have symptoms of low blood sugar such as sweating or shakiness. Common side effects include persistent dry cough, dizziness, and light-headedness due to low blood pressure. Altace(R) should not be taken during pregnancy, as death or injury to the unborn child may result, or if a person has experienced serious side effects related to previous ACE inhibitors.
About King Pharmaceuticals
King, headquartered in Bristol, Tennessee, is a vertically integrated branded pharmaceutical company. King, an S&P 500 Index company, seeks to capitalize on opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry through the development, including through in-licensing arrangements and acquisitions, of novel branded prescription pharmaceutical products in attractive markets and the strategic acquisition of branded products that can benefit from focused promotion and marketing and product life-cycle management.
King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CONTACT: James E. Green, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs ofKing Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-423-989-8125
Web site: http://www.kingpharm.com/
