Unichem Lab has received Abbreviated New Drug Abbreviation (ANDA) approval from the US FDA for clonidine hydrochloride tablets. Clonidine Hydrochloride is a low dose potent and popular molecule in the antihypertensive category. Clonidine hydrochloride tablets USP 0.1mg, 0.2mg and 0.3mg are therapeutically equivalent to Catapres tablets USP 0.1mg, 0.2mg and 0.3mg from Boehringer Ingelheim. Clonidine hydrochloride formulations have annual sales of roughly $334 million in the US.

Watson Pharmaceuticals has received FDA approval for a generic version of the high blood pressure and angina drug Toprol XL. Watson Pharma expects to starts shipping the metoprolol drug immediately. The drug would be available in 25 mg and 50 mg extended-release tablets. According to Watson Pharma, the US sales of Toprol XL and generic equivalents totaled $628 million for the year ended June 30, 2009.

Glenmark Generics Inc and partner InvaGen has got the Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) approval from the FDA for Fosinopril Sodium and Hydrochlorothiazide tablet to be used for the treatment of hypertension. Fosinopril Sodium and Hydrochlorothiazide(HCTZ) tablets are available in both 10mg/12.5mg and 20mg/12.5mg strengths. While Glenmark would exclusively market and distribute the product in the US, InvaGen would manufacture and supply the drug.

 Mylan Pharmaceuticals has received final approval from the FDA for its ANDA for felodipine extended-release tablets as a treatment for hypertension. Felodipine is the generic version of AstraZeneca’s Plendil. Mylan aims to start shipping generic Plendil immediately.

A diet comprising mainly of meat and fried foods increases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, according to research published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Metabolic syndrome refers to the presence of three or more cardiovascular risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and low levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein or “good”) cholesterol.

The study also confirmed an earlier finding that the consumption of diet soda raises the risk of metabolic syndrome. Dairy products were found to prevent metabolic syndrome to some extent.

A new study has found that Nexavar, a drug used for the treatment of kidney and liver cancer, can substantially raise blood pressure. According to the authors of the study, published in U.K. medical journal Lancet Oncology, patients on Nexavar (sorafenib) should be closely monitored and treated for high blood pressure in order to prevent cardiovascular problems.

Nexavar, which is being co-developed by Bayer AG and Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc., is now being reviewed for treating small-cell lung cancer, prostate cancer and melanoma. Bayer said the drug’s high-blood-pressure risks are covered by the labeling.

Novartis AG has received FDA approval for its Tekturna HCT drug for treating high blood pressure. The drug, which is a combination of the hypertension drug Tekturna (aliskiren) and diuretic (water pill) hydrochlorothiazide (HCT), was found to “offer greater blood pressure reductions that either component alone,” the company said. Possible side-effects include dizziness, diarrhea, cough and allergy. Novartis expects Tektruna HCT to hit the market in early February.

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