New 2026 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway and 2025 AHA/ACC Hypertension Guideline Support the Role of Chlorthalidone in Resistant Hypertension

PRM Pharma highlights the clinical relevance of HemiClor^® 12.5 mg ahead of the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026

WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly half of U.S. adults have hypertension, yet approximately 80% of those with hypertension have not achieved the recommended blood pressure goal of less than 130/80 mm Hg. An estimated 8.5% to 20% of adults with hypertension have apparent treatment-resistant hypertension, underscoring the need to optimize existing treatment.¹˒²

Against this backdrop, PRM Pharma, LLC, marketer of HemiClor^® (chlorthalidone) 12.5 mg tablets, highlighted how the 2025 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) hypertension guideline and the new 2026 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway support the importance of optimizing treatment in patients with resistant hypertension.

The 2025 AHA/ACC hypertension guideline emphasizes the importance of optimizing diuretic therapy in patients with resistant hypertension. As part of this approach, the guideline identifies replacing hydrochlorothiazide with chlorthalidone (12.5–25 mg daily) or indapamide, noting that such substitutions may offer additional blood pressure reduction and cardiovascular protection among patients with a previous myocardial infarction or stroke.³

Reinforcing this guidance, the 2026 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway, published online October 5, 2026, in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, identifies substituting chlorthalidone or indapamide for hydrochlorothiazide to provide more consistent blood pressure reduction throughout the day. The consensus also recognizes chlorthalidone's greater potency and identifies this substitution as a strategy to consider before adding a fourth antihypertensive medication.²

"The 2026 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway and the 2025 AHA/ACC guideline reinforce the importance of optimizing antihypertensive therapy in the treatment of resistant hypertension," said Joe McDevitt of PRM Pharma. "Our goal is to provide physicians with dosing options that support individualized treatment. Because certain adverse effects of chlorthalidone, including hypokalemia, are dose-related, having a 12.5 mg tablet available allows physicians to prescribe chlorthalidone at the lower end of the guideline-recommended range without tablet splitting."³˒⁴

The American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026 will take place November 6–9 in Chicago, bringing together cardiovascular clinicians and researchers to discuss advances in cardiovascular prevention and treatment.

About HemiClor®

HemiClor^® (chlorthalidone) 12.5 mg is an FDA-approved thiazide-like diuretic indicated for the treatment of hypertension in adults to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions.⁴

HemiClor provides a 12.5 mg tablet for once-daily administration and may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medications.⁴

For complete prescribing information, visit HemiClor.com.

Important Safety Information

HemiClor is contraindicated in patients with anuria or hypersensitivity to chlorthalidone or other sulfonamide-derived drugs.

Chlorthalidone may cause acute kidney injury, electrolyte abnormalities, and metabolic disturbances. Monitor kidney function periodically and serum electrolytes before treatment and periodically thereafter, including for hypokalemia and hyponatremia. Chlorthalidone may increase blood glucose, uric acid, and calcium levels. Monitor blood glucose and lipid levels, and calcium levels in patients with hypercalcemia. Hypokalemia and increases in uric acid are dose-related. Chlorthalidone may also precipitate or exacerbate gout in susceptible patients.

For complete warnings, precautions, drug interactions, and adverse reactions, consult the full HemiClor Prescribing Information.⁴

About PRM Pharma

PRM Pharma, LLC is a pharmaceutical company focused on bringing clinically relevant prescription therapies to the U.S. market. PRM Pharma markets HemiClor® (chlorthalidone) 12.5 mg tablets, an FDA-approved branded formulation of chlorthalidone.

References

1. Fryar CD, Kit BK, Carroll MD, Afful J. Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control Among Adults Age 18 and Older: United States, August 2021–August 2023. NCHS Data Brief. 2024;(511): 1–8. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db511.htm
2. Davis LL, Yang E, Blyler CA, et al. Optimizing Blood Pressure Care in Patients With Resistant Hypertension: 2026 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Published online October 5, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2026.08.028
3. Jones DW, Ferdinand KC, Taler SJ, et al. 2025 AHA/ACC Multisociety Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults. Circulation. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001356
4. PRM Pharma, LLC. (2025). HemiClor (chlorthalidone) tablets, for oral use: Prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/218647s000lbl.pdf

Media Contact

PRM Pharma, LLC
info@prmpharma.com
(484) 534-9323

SOURCE PRM Pharma, LLC