U.S. clears Novartis' youth high blood pressure drug

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The drug, also known by its generic name valsartan, is an angiotensin receptor blocker.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Novartis said on Monday that U.S. regulators approved its drug Diovan to treat high blood pressure in children and adolescents aged 6 to 16.

The drug, also known by its generic name valsartan, is an angiotensin receptor blocker.

The company said research suggests that nearly 5 percent of children and adolescents in the United States may have high blood pressure.

The condition, which had once been mainly found in adults, is striking earlier amid a surge in pediatric obesity rates.

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Novartis said no relevant differences were identified between the adverse experience profile for pediatric patients aged six to 16 and that previously reported for adult patients.