From the Guidelines
Atacand, containing candesartan, is recommended as a first-line treatment for heart failure and hypertension, with a typical starting dose of 16 mg once daily for hypertension and 4 mg once daily for heart failure, titrated up to 32 mg daily as tolerated, based on the most recent and highest quality evidence from the European Society of Cardiology guidelines 1. The use of Atacand in patients with heart failure has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization and improve symptoms and quality of life, as demonstrated in the CHARM-Added trial, which reported a 16% relative risk reduction in cardiovascular death with candesartan 1. Key benefits of Atacand include:
- Reduced risk of heart failure hospitalization
- Improved symptoms and quality of life
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular death
- Effective in patients with reduced ejection fraction
- Can be used in combination with other heart failure medications, such as ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers. It's essential to note that patients with liver or kidney problems may require dose adjustments, and common side effects may include dizziness, back pain, and respiratory infections 1. The most recent guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association also support the use of ARBs, such as candesartan, in the treatment of heart failure and hypertension, highlighting their importance in reducing morbidity and mortality 1. Overall, Atacand is a valuable treatment option for patients with heart failure and hypertension, and its use should be considered in accordance with the most recent clinical guidelines and evidence-based recommendations 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. The main use of Atacand (candesartan) is to treat hypertension and lower blood pressure.
- It is used to reduce the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions.
- The drug is part of a comprehensive cardiovascular risk management plan, which may include lipid control, diabetes management, antithrombotic therapy, smoking cessation, exercise, and limited sodium intake 2.
- Candesartan blocks the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II by selectively blocking the binding of angiotensin II to the AT1 receptor 2.
From the Research
Atacand (Candesartan) Overview
- Atacand, also known as candesartan, is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist used to treat hypertension and heart failure 3, 4.
- It has been shown to be effective in reducing albuminuria and blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy 3.
- The optimal dose of candesartan for renoprotection is 16 mg daily, as reflected by short-term reduction in albuminuria 3.
Comparison with Other Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
- Candesartan has been compared to other angiotensin II receptor blockers, such as losartan, valsartan, and telmisartan, in terms of efficacy and safety 5, 6, 7.
- Telmisartan has been shown to be more effective than losartan in reducing proteinuria in patients with diabetic nephropathy 5.
- A network meta-analysis found that olmesartan had the highest ranking in reducing office systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while candesartan had the highest ranking in lowering 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure 7.
Efficacy and Safety
- Candesartan has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure and reducing proteinuria in patients with hypertension and diabetic nephropathy 3, 6.
- It has a good safety profile, with a low incidence of adverse events 7.
- A study found that candesartan-based therapy is highly effective in lowering blood pressure while providing improved compliance, a good tolerability, and largely neutral metabolic profile 4.