Clinical effectiveness and safety of candesartan cilexetil in treatment of patients with mild and moderate essential hypertension

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of candesartan cilexetil in treatment of patients with mild and moderate essential hypertension. Methods: Forty-eight patients were randomly and double-blindly divided into candesartan cilexetil(8 mg/d) group and losartan (50 mg/d) group after they had finished the induction treatment for 2 weeks. If the blood pressure was still over standard,the dosages of the drugs used were doubled from the 5th week till the end of 8th week. Blood pressure and heart rate were determined, and side effects were observed every 2 weeks. Before and after the trial, laboratory tests were performed. Results: The antihypertensive efficacy rates of both drugs were 100%. The systolic blood pressure(SBP)and diastolic blood pressure(DBP)in 2 groups decreased significantly after the teatment for 2 weeks. The SBP and DBP were decreased by 20.3 mmHg and 16.8 mmHg in candesartan cilexetil group, and 16.4 mmHg and 16.1 mmHg in losartan group at the end of 8-week treatment. Except appearance of headache in one patient and appearance of mild chest discomfort and abdominal distension in another patient, the others had no discomfortable feeling.All laboratory tests were normal. Conclusion: Candesartan cilexetil can be used in treatment of patients with mild and moderate essential hypertension effectively and safely.