New high blood pressure 'cure' pill could be available next year
A daily pill that could potentially cure high blood pressure in some people, rather than simply keeping it under control, may be available on the NHS as early as next year.
The drug, called baxdrostat, has attracted attention after researchers discovered that its benefits could last long after patients stopped taking it.
Even more surprisingly, it may tackle the underlying cause of certain types of hypertension, raising hopes of a treatment that could spare some people a lifetime of medication.
How does it work, and who could benefit?
Advert
Baxdrostat works by blocking the production of aldosterone, a hormone made by the adrenal glands, which sit just above the kidneys.
Aldosterone plays an important role in regulating salt and potassium levels in the body.
However, when too much is produced, the kidneys retain more salt and water, increasing blood pressure.
This is particularly relevant for people with a condition called primary aldosteronism, where tiny, non-cancerous growths in the adrenal glands can cause excessive hormone production.
It is thought to account for around one in ten cases of high blood pressure, making it a significant – and often overlooked – cause of hypertension.
The latest research, led by Queen Mary University of London and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, has produced some particularly encouraging findings.
Researchers followed 14 patients who had responded well to baxdrostat during an initial clinical study.
They continued taking the medication for between six and 12 months, with follow-up measurements showing that their blood pressure remained substantially lower for up to two years afterwards.
Nearly a quarter were able to stop taking all their blood pressure medication and still maintain normal readings.
One participant had remained off the treatment for three years.
Professor Morris Brown, who led the research, said: “Just under a quarter of the patients came off all treatment and had completely normal blood pressure.”
Could it actually cure high blood pressure?
The possibility of a lasting cure is what makes these findings so interesting.
At present, people with primary aldosteronism may need surgery to remove the affected adrenal gland, depending on the underlying cause. Others require medication to keep their hormone levels and blood pressure under control.
Researchers believe baxdrostat could potentially achieve something similar to surgery without the need for an operation.
One theory is that blocking aldosterone production for long enough may cause the cells responsible for producing excessive amounts of the hormone to disappear.
This idea is based partly on experiments in mice, although scientists are still investigating whether the same process happens in humans.
Professor Brown described the possibility of a finite course of medication providing a lasting benefit as an exciting prospect, while stressing that more research is needed.
When could baxdrostat be available in the UK?
There is already some progress on the regulatory front.
Baxdrostat was approved in the US in 2026 for adults whose blood pressure remains uncontrolled despite taking other medication.
It is intended as an additional treatment rather than a replacement for existing prescriptions.
In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is considering whether the drug should be made available on the NHS. If approved, it could become an option for eligible patients in 2027.
However, the latest findings come from a very small group of people, so larger clinical trials will be essential before anyone can confidently describe the treatment as a cure.
Why is treating high blood pressure so important?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects more than 12 million people in the UK.
Often, there are no obvious symptoms, meaning people can live with the condition for years without realising anything is wrong.
Left untreated, it puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia.
Regular blood pressure checks are therefore important, particularly for anyone who has not had a reading taken recently.
While baxdrostat could represent an important step forward for people with hormone-related hypertension, it won't be a miracle solution for everyone.
For now, anyone prescribed blood pressure medication should continue taking it as directed and speak to their GP before making any changes.
The prospect of treating one of the underlying causes of hypertension with a relatively short course of tablets is certainly promising.
Whether it can deliver a lasting cure on a wider scale is the question researchers are now working to answer.
Jen Thomas
