The prescription drug Avandia (rosiglitazone), marketed as a treatment for Type II diabetes, causes an increase in liver problems, heart problems and bone density problems resulting in fractures. It has been linked to cases of death due to liver failure and heart failure. Patients who have a history of certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, smoking and stroke, and those taking medications including diuretics, steroids, seizure medication and thyroid medication are more prone to experiencing serious side effects while taking Avandia.

Drug developer Novartis received the FDA approval for its Valturna drug for the treatment of high blood pressure. The drug is a single-pill combination of valsartan and aliskiren. While Valsartan is the active ingredient in Novartis’ high blood pressure drug Diovan, aliskiren is the active ingredient in the company’s blood pressure drug Tekturna.

Novartis has received the FDA approval for its Tekturna HCT tablets as initial therapy for patients who are likely to need multiple drugs to achieve their blood pressure goals. Tekturna HCT is a single-pill combination of Tekturna, the first and only approved direct renin inhibitor, and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a commonly used high blood pressure medication. Tekturna HCT is available in four strengths as tablets containing aliskiren and hydrochlorothiazide: 150mg/12.5mg tablets, 150mg/25mg tablets, 300mg/12.5mg tablets and 300mg/25mg tablets.