Studies show Atacand more effective than Cozaar- in lowering blood pressure

STUDIES SHOW ATACAND® MORE EFFECTIVE THAN COZAAR® IN LOWERING BLOOD PRESSURE Results of two multi-center, double-blind, randomized studies in more than 1200 hypertensive patients indicate that AstraZeneca's angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) Atacand® (candesartan cilexetil) is significantly more effective in lowering both diastolic and systolic blood pressure than the most prescribed ARB losartan (Cozaar®, Merck) when dosed once daily. In the first CLAIM Study, the use of Atacand at the maximum once-daily dose of 32 mg reduced trough sitting diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 10.9 mm Hg and trough sitting systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 13.3 compared to 8.7 mm Hg and 9.8 mm Hg for the once-daily maximum dose of 100 mg losartan. In the second CLAIM Study, Atacand 32 mg reduced DBP by 10.5 mm Hg and SBP by 13.4 mm Hg compared to 9.1 mm Hg and 10.1 mm HG for 100 mg losartan. During the double-blind treatment period, patients were randomized to receive either Atacand 16 mg or losartan 50 mg. At week two, all patients were titrated up to double their current dose to 32 mg of Atacand or 100 mg of losartan. Duration of treatment was eight weeks unless a patient discontinued due to an adverse event, had an insufficient therapeutic response or withdrew consent. The incidence of discontinuation was only 2.7% for Atacand and 1.8% for losartan. The most commonly reported adverse events for both medications were headache, dizziness, sinusitis and respiratory infection. About ARBs and Atacand Angiotensin II receptor blockers represent the first new class of antihypertensive agents in the United States in more than a decade. ARBs work by inhibiting the effects of angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts blood vessels and leads to hypertension. This class of medications is gaining rapid acceptance among physicians and patients due to the absence of many unwanted side effects found in some older antihypertensive medications. Atacand is indicated for once-daily treatment of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medications. As with other drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system, Atacand should not be used by pregnant women and should be discontinued if pregnancy is detected. Hypertension, also known as the "silent killer", is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases, affecting an estimated 50 million people in the United States (approximately 25 percent of the US adult population). Of those with hypertension, only about 27.4 percent are on medication and have it controlled. High blood pressure is defined in an adult as a systolic (top number) pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher and/or a diastolic (bottom number) pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher for an extended time. The availability of drugs such as Atacand with favorable efficacy and tolerability represents an important means for improving the treatment of hypertension. For further inquires: Gary Bruell, tel +1 610-695-1554 gary.bruell@astrazeneca.com ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/07/11/20000711BIT00180/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/07/11/20000711BIT00180/bit0002.pdf