A randomized and double-blind trial for candesartan cilexetil in the treatment of essential hypertension

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of candesartan cilexetil made in China in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension. Methods: In a multi-centers, randomized, double blind and parallel control trail, 217 patients with mild and moderate essential hypertension were randomly received either candesartan cilexetil at 4-8mg daily (n = 107) or irbesartan at 150-300mg daily (n = 110) for 8 weeks. The poor-prognosis patients treated with candesatan or irbesartan in 4 weeks (DBP≥90mmHg) were co-administrated with hydrochlorothiazide at 12.5mg daily. Results:No significant differences in the overall response rate of candesartan or irbesartan monotherapy (72.4 % vs. 73.1 %) and co-administration therapies (93.3 % vs. 94.4 %) were found. The change of mean BP at sitting position in candesartan group was from (155.6±10.9)/(98. 6±4. 9)mmHg to (130.2± 10.0)/(82.7±5.7)mmHgversus in irbesartan group from (152. 6±10. 3)/(98.4±4. 1)mmHg to (129.1±8.0)/(82. 8±5. 1)mmHg (P 0. 05). The occurrence of adverse events was 12. 3% for those patients taking candesartan against 13.1% for those on irbesartan. Conclusion:The efficacy and safety of candesartan cilexetil are similar to those of irbesartan in the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension.