Hypertension drug approved for pediatric patients

Daiichi-Sankyo's agent olmesartan (Benicar) has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of hypertension in patients aged 6 to 16 years.

The recommended starting dose is 10 mg once daily for patients who weigh 20 kg to less than 35 kg and 20 mg once daily for patients who weigh at least 35 kg. After 2 weeks, the dose can be increased to a maximum of 20 mg once daily in those who weigh less than 35 kg and 40 mg once daily in those who weigh at least 35 kg.