Safety, Pharmacodynamics, and Pharmacokinetics of Different Dosing Regimens of MK-8266 in Participants With Hypertension (MK-8266-008)

Inclusion Criteria

• Participant has essential hypertension who is in grade 1 or 2 hypertension according to the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) as delineated in the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2007 guidelines, i.e. systolic blood pressure values of 140-179 and diastolic blood pressure values of 90-109 on at least 3 occasions prior to the study.
• Otherwise healthy participants with grade 1 or 2 arterial hypertension who are treated with a single antihypertensive drug and meet the above blood pressure criteria may be enrolled at the discretion of the investigator
• Participant is generally in good health with the exception of hypertension
• Participant is a nonsmoker and/or has not used nicotine or nicotine-containing products for 6 months

Exclusion Criteria

• Participant has a history of any illness that might confound the results of the study or pose and additional risk to the participant if they take part in the study
• Participant has a history of stroke, chronic seizures, or major neurological disorder
• Participant has a disability that can interfere with rising from a semi-recumbent position to the standing position
• Participant has a personal or family history of a bleeding or clotting disorder
• Participant has a history of frequent nosebleeds or recurrent or active gingivitis
• Participant has a history of cancer, except 1) certain skin cancers; 2) cancer successfully treated more than 10 years prior to the study that has not recurred; or, 3) participants who are unlikely to have a recurrence during the study
• Participant has a history of cardiac disease including but not limited to heart valve disease or evidence of secondary cardiac damage
• Participant is categorized as class II or greater according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification for heart failure
• Participant is unable to refrain from use of prescription or non-prescription drugs or herbal remedies (such as St. John's Wort) during the study
• Participant anticipates using phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitors [sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), or vardenafil (Levitra®)] during the study
• Participant consumes excessive amounts of alcohol (more than 3 drinks per day) or caffeine (more than 6 servings a day)
• Participant has had major surgery, donated or lost 1 unit of blood, or participated in another investigational within 4 weeks prior to the study
• Participant has a history of multiple and/or severe allergies, or has had an anaphylactic reaction or intolerance to any drugs or food