Long Term Safety of Aliskiren Alone or With the Optional Addition of Hydrochlorothiazide in Patients With Essential Hypertension

A 12 Month, Randomized, Open-label, Multicenter, Study to Assess the Long Term Safety of Aliskiren 150 mg Alone and 300 mg Alone or With the Optional Addition of Hydrochlorothiazide (12.5 mg or 25 mg) in Patients With Essential Hypertension.

Assess the long-term safety and tolerability of aliskiren, with the optional addition of HCTZ, in patients with essential hypertension, to ensure long term blood pressure control and protect against end organ damage.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Patients with essential hypertension.
2. Patients who are eligible and able to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Severe hypertension.
2. History or evidence of a secondary form of hypertension.
3. History of hypertensive encephalopathy or cerebrovascular accident. Other protocol-defined exclusion criteria may apply.