Aliskiren Study of Safety and Efficacy in Senior Hypertensives

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients ≥ 65 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of essential hypertension at
Visit 1.

- Mean sitting SBP (MSSBP) ≥ 140 mmHg and < 180 mmHg at Visit 2/Visit 201 and Visit 3.

- Absolute MSSBP difference ≤ 20 mmHg between Visit 3 and the Visit immediately prior

Exclusion Criteria:

- History of hypersensitivity to any of the study drugs or to drugs of similar chemical
classes.

- Severe hypertension (MSSBP ≥ 180 mmHg or MSDBP ≥ 110 mmHg) at Visit 1, Visit 2, Visit
201 or Visit 3 or during patient self measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring in
the pre-randomization period confirmed by office measurement.

- Current treatment with any blocker of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS)
(aliskiren, ACE inhibitor, angiotensin receptor blocker or an aldosterone antagonist)
and unable to discontinue this therapy.

- Concurrent use of any anti-hypertensive medications except a stable dose of 3 months
prior to Visit 1 of alpha adrenergic blockers for benign prostatic hypertrophy (e.g.,
tamsulosin [Flomax®] for benign prostatic hypertrophy), beta blockers for angina, or
beta blocker ophthalmic preparations.

- Contraindications to aliskiren, ramipril, amlodipine, or hydrochlorothiazide. Other
protocol defined inclusion/exclusion criteria apply