A new blood pressure medicine called **lorundrostat** is showing real promise for people who struggle to control their high blood pressure. A recent clinical trial presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25) found that this new drug could effectively lower blood pressure in individuals whose condition has not been well managed with current medications.
### Understanding High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major cause of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. In the U.S., more than two out of three people with high blood pressure don’t have it under control. Some do not receive treatment, while others find that the medicines they take don’t work well enough.
### What is Lorundrostat?
Lorundrostat belongs to a new group of medications called **aldosterone synthase inhibitors (ASIs)**. Most blood pressure drugs block aldosterone after it’s been produced, but lorundrostat works differently by stopping the body from making too much of this hormone in the first place. Aldosterone causes the body to retain salt and water, which leads to increased blood pressure.
### The ADVANCE-HTN Phase 2b Trial
Researchers tested lorundrostat on 285 participants from 103 locations across the U.S. These individuals were already taking two to five different blood pressure medications, yet their hypertension remained uncontrolled. The average age of participants was 60, and 40% were women. Notably, over half of the participants were Black — a vital inclusion since Black Americans often face higher rates of uncontrolled hypertension and are underrepresented in clinical trials.
The study began with all participants following the same basic blood pressure treatments for three weeks. Those whose blood pressure remained high were then randomly assigned to one of three groups:
– **Placebo group:** received a pill with no active medicine
– **50 mg lorundrostat group:** received 50 mg of lorundrostat daily
– **50-100 mg lorundrostat group:** started with 50 mg daily, with the option to increase to 100 mg after four weeks
### Study Results
After 12 weeks, the results were clear:
– The 50 mg lorundrostat group experienced a 24-hour average blood pressure drop of **15.4 mm Hg**.
– The 50-100 mg group saw a drop of **13.9 mm Hg**.
– The placebo group had a smaller reduction of only **7.4 mm Hg**.
This means lorundrostat lowered blood pressure by about 7 to 8 mm Hg more than the placebo.
Even more encouraging, **42%** of people in the lorundrostat group achieved blood pressure control by week 4, compared to just **19%** of those in the placebo group. Importantly, the drug worked equally well across different racial groups.
### Safety and Side Effects
Dr. Luke Laffin from the Cleveland Clinic, who led the study, reported that lorundrostat was generally well tolerated. The main side effects were similar to those seen with other drugs affecting aldosterone, including slightly elevated potassium levels and some changes in kidney function. Overall, most participants handled the medication without serious issues.
### What’s Next?
This trial was funded by Mineralys Therapeutics, the company developing lorundrostat. A larger study is already underway to further evaluate the drug’s safety and long-term effects.
For people with high blood pressure that hasn’t improved despite current medications, lorundrostat could represent a significant advancement. Its unique way of working offers new hope — especially for groups like Black Americans, who are at higher risk of complications from hypertension.
If future studies confirm these findings, lorundrostat might soon become a valuable new option to help more people get their blood pressure under control and reduce their risk of strokes, heart attacks, and other serious health problems.
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### Additional Resources
If you care about blood pressure management, consider reading more about:
– Common blood pressure medications that may extend your healthy lifespan
– A common high blood pressure drug linked to sudden cardiac arrest
– Why timing matters when taking high blood pressure pills
– How 1 in 5 people with high blood pressure taking medication may inadvertently worsen their condition
Stay informed and proactive about your heart health!
https://knowridge.com/2025/11/this-new-blood-pressure-drug-could-treat-disease-more-effectively/