Eplerenone, the first selective aldosterone receptor antagonist, is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of hypertension, particularly in Black patients and in those with low plasma renin levels, according to results from three phase III studies presented at the 17th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) [New York, US; May 2002].*Furthermore, treatment with eplerenone may reduce the risk of end-organ damage by lowering urinary albumin/creatinine ratios (UACR). In two studies, eplerenone was significantly more effective than the angiotensin receptor antagonist losartan ['Cozaar'] in the treatment of hypertension in Black patients, and in those with low renin levels; these patient populations are typically difficult to treat with established antihypertensive agents, and have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. In another pivotal study, eplerenone demonstrated equivalent efficacy to enalapril with respect to BP reduction, but provided greater reductions in UACR.