Aliskiren (brand names Tekturna and Rasilez) is the first in a class of drugs called direct renin inhibitors.

[2] While used for high blood pressure, other better studied medications are typically recommended due to concerns of higher side effects and less evidence of benefit.

[3] Prescrire has stated that aliskiren is potentially more harmful than beneficial and thus list it as a drug to avoid (as of 2014).

It directly causes arterial smooth muscle to contract, leading to vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure.

[12] Binding to this pocket prevents the conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin I. Aliskiren is also available as combination therapy with hydrochlorothiazide.