d o i : 1 0 . 1 1 1 1 / j . 1 3 6 8 - 5 0 3 1 . 2 0 0 6 . 0 0 9 0 3 . x
A placebo-controlled comparison of the efficacy and tolerability ofcandesartan cilexetil, 8 mg, and losartan, 50 mg, as monotherapyin patients with essential hypertension, using 36-h ambulatoryblood pressure monitoring
J - P B A G U E T 1 , S . N I S S E - D U R G E A T 2 , S . M O U R E T 1 , R . A S M A R 3 , J - M M A L L I O N 1Cardiology and Hypertension Unit,1 Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, Laboratoires Takeda,2 Puteaux, InstitutCardioVasculaire,3 Paris, France
(1.2 mmHg Æ 9.9 mmHg) (p < 0.001). Candesartan cilexe-
til 8 mg was associated with a greater reduction in DBP
This double-blind, randomised, controlled study compared
and SBP, relative to placebo, when compared with losartan
the efficacy of candesartan cilexetil 8 mg (n ¼ 87) and
50 mg, during both daytime and night-time, and between
losartan 50 mg (n ¼ 89), once daily for 6 weeks, relative to
12 and 24 h after dosing (p < 0.001). Both active treatments
placebo (n ¼ 80) in patients with mild-to-moderate essential
hypertension (diastolic blood pressure (DBP): 95–115
In patients with mild-to-moderate essential hyper-
mmHg). Ambulatory BP measurements were done every
tension, candesartan cilexetil 8 mg therefore had greater,
more consistent antihypertensive efficacy throughout the
At the end of the 6-week treatment, the mean change in
day and the night, and long-lasting efficacy after the last
DBP between the baseline and the 0–24-h period after the
dose, compared with losartan 50 mg. This greater efficacy
last dose of study medication was greater in patients receiving
is maintained with an excellent tolerability associated with
candesartan cilexetil 8 mg (À7.3 mmHg Æ 6.9 mmHg)
members of the angiotensin Il type 1-receptor blocker
compared with losartan 50 mg (À5.1 mmHg Æ 4.9 mmHg)
Keywords: Hypertension; ambulatory blood pressure
(p < 0.001). The mean change in systolic BP (SBP) during
measurement; antihypertensive drug treatment; candesar-
this time was greater in patients receiving candesartan
losartan 50 mg (À8.8 mmHg Æ 8.9 mmHg) than placebo
(AT1)-receptor blocker class (2). AT1-receptor blockers repre-sent a class of effective and well-tolerated orally active anti-
Hypertension is the major treatable cause of cardiovascular
hypertensive drugs. All these drugs have the common
mortality in the industrialised world (1), and recent national
and international guidelines emphasise the benefits of redu-
vascular smooth muscle, increasing salt excretion, decreasing
cing blood pressure (BP) (2–4). Indeed, even small BP reduc-
cellular hypertrophy and inducing antihypertensive effects
tions, when achieved at a population level, can result in major
without modifying heart rate and cardiac output (6). These
reduction in cardiovascular risk (5). Thus, even small differ-
agents effectively control hypertension when given once daily
ences in efficacy between different antihypertensive drugs
and cause no significant adverse effects or laboratory abnorm-
could lead to substantial differences in population outcome.
alities (7,8). Thus, fewer adverse events were reported for
Five classes of antihypertensive agents are now recom-
mended for the first-line treatment of hypertension; the
1-receptor blocker therapy compared with other anti-
hypertensive medication such as beta-blockers and angio-
newest addition to this list is the angiotensin Il type 1
tensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. In addition, theeffectiveness of AT1-receptor blocker therapy in reducing
clinical events such as stroke or end-stage renal disease in
Jean-Philippe Baguet, Cardiologie et Hypertension arte´rielle, CHU
hypertension and associated conditions has been shown in a
de Grenoble, BP 217, 38043, Grenoble Cedex 09, France
number of large trials (9–11). AT1-receptor blockers are
therefore differentiated from each other on the basis of the
magnitude and duration of their antihypertensive effects.
ª 2006 The AuthorsJournal compilation ª 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd Int J Clin Pract, April 2006, 60, 4, 391–398
Losartan was the first available AT1-receptor blocker, and
stroke, severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 ml/
many others have since become available. Of these, candesar-
min, Cockcroft method), severe hepatic impairment (aspar-
tan cilexetil shows particularly tight and long-lasting binding
tate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase greater than
to the AT1-receptor. Indeed, in a review published in 1999,
twice the upper normal limit, gammaglutamyl transpeptidase
candesartan cilexetil had the highest AT1-receptor-binding
greater than three times the upper normal limit) and serum
affinity of those compounds tested, which were ranked in
potassium >5.0 mmol/l. Patients were also excluded, if con-
the following order (highest affinity ¼ 1): candesartan cilex-
traindicated for renin-angiotensin system interventions or if
etil (1), saprisartan (1), zolasartan (3), irbesartan (5), valsartan
hypersensitive to any component of the study medications.
(10), telmisartan (10), EXP-3174 (the active metabolite of
This study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki and was
losartan) (10), tasosartan (20), losartan (50), eprosartan (100)
approved by an independent ethics committee (Grenoble,
France). Written informed consent was obtained from all
The most reliable way of determining whether members of
patients prior to their inclusion in the study.
the AT1-receptor blocker class are similarly distinguishedfrom each other at a clinical level is by performing a direct,
head-to-head comparison. The present paper comparesdirectly the antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability of two
All patients recruited to the study entered an initial placebo
AT1-receptor blockers, candesartan cilexetil 8 mg (13–16),
run-in period. The run-in lasted 14 days for patients who had
and losartan 50 mg (17–20), in adult patients with mild-to-
not previously received antihypertensive treatment and 28
moderate essential hypertension, using clinic measurements
days for patients who had received previous therapy.
and 36-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). At the time of
Previous antihypertensive medications were discontinued dur-
the start of this trial, these were the maximum approved doses
ing this 28-day placebo phase. Other treatments prohibited
of candesartan cilexetil and losartan in France, although
during the study included antiarrhythmic and antiangina
guidelines in other countries at that time recommended a
agents, drugs with vasodilator or systemic vasoconstrictor
maximum candesartan cilexetil dose of 16 mg and a maxi-
activity, immunosuppressant and cytotoxic drugs, lithium,
mum losartan dose of 100 mg per day. ABPM was used,
antithyroid medication, long-term corticosteroid and no ster-
because such measurements correlate more closely with
target-organ damage and are more reliable in predicting clin-
Patients completing the placebo run-in were randomised in
ical outcomes, compared with clinic BP measurements (21).
equal numbers to receive double-blind treatment with cande-
ABPM also avoid the problem of so-called ‘white-coat’ or
sartan cilexetil 8 mg, losartan 50 mg or placebo, once daily
‘office’ hypertension – the tendency for BP to increase above
its everyday level as a result of the often subconscious physio-logical stress induced in patients by their visits to a clinic (22).
ABPM also enables BP to be assessed throughout the dosinginterval, so that diurnal fluctuations can be observed and
Clinic BP was assessed in triplicate using a mercury sphyg-
permit reliable information to be obtained on clinical efficacy
momanometer after the patients had rested in a lying position
at night and during the latter part of the dosing interval (23).
for 10 min, and the mean of each set of three values deter-
Finally, ABPM allows to provide multiple BP measurements
mined. Heart rate was also measured in triplicate while
and to increase the power of the study.
patients were lying, and the mean value determined. Ambulatory DBP and SBP were measured for 36 h in eachpatient before the first dose, and 0–36 h after the last dose of
study medication. Ambulatory BP values were determinedand recorded automatically at 15-minute intervals by a bra-
chial pressure monitor (SpacelabsTM Model 90207, Spacelabs
We enrolled a total of 433 patients from 126 general practi-
Medical, Redmond, WA, USA), worn on the nondominant
tioner centres and 28 cardiology centres. They were then
arm that was kept intentionally still during monitoring cycles
screened for inclusion in the study. Subjects were men or
while the patient was awake. ABPM data were analysed
women, aged 18–75 years, with mild-to-moderate essential
centrally on the return of the monitor to the clinic.
hypertension [diastolic BP (DBP) of 95–115 mmHg after a2- or 4-week placebo run-in period].
The main exclusion criteria were severe hypertension, sec-
ondary hypertension, heart failure (NYHA class III or IV),
The primary efficacy variable was the change in mean ambu-
myocardial infarction within the previous 6 months, heart
latory DBP from the baseline to the 0–24-h period after the
valve abnormalities, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, history of
Journal compilation ª 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd Int J Clin Pract, April 2006, 60, 4, 391–398
group was 69 (two-sided t-test) to allow statistically mean-ingful conclusions to be reached, a p-value <0.05 was con-
sidered statistically significant. Allowing for withdrawals or
1 Changes in ambulatory SBP from the baseline to the
failure to provide data, we therefore set an overall enrolment
0–24-h period after the last dose of study medication,
2 Changes in ambulatory DBP and SBP from the baseline to
the 0–36-h period after the last dose of study medication,
3 Changes in DBP and SBP during the daytime (7 am to 10
4 Changes in DBP and SBP between 12 and 24 h after
Of the 433 screened individuals, 123 patients did not pro-
5 Changes in heart rate between the baseline and the end of
gress beyond the placebo run-in, for reasons including failure
to comply with inclusion criteria, loss to follow-up and with-
drawal of consent. A total of 310 patients, completed theplacebo run-in, were randomised and received at least onedose of study medication (safety population). Fifty-four of
these 310 patients were excluded from the efficacy (ITT)
Data were divided into two populations. The safety popula-
population, because they did not provide at least one com-
tion comprised all patients randomised to double-blind treat-
plete set of 24-h ambulatory DBP measurements. The efficacy
ment. The intention-to-treat (ITT) efficacy population
(ITT) population therefore comprised 256 patients.
comprised all patients who had received at least one dose ofstudy medication and who had provided at least one complete
recording of ambulatory DBP made over a 24-h period afterdosing.
The efficacy (ITT) population consisted of 153 men (59.8%)
Baseline characteristics for both the ITT and the safety
and 103 women (40.2%). Middle-aged patients (aged 45–65
population were summarised, with comparisons of baseline
years) formed the greatest proportion (64.8%) of this popula-
variables between treatment groups made using two-sided
tion, in which the mean age was 54.2 years. Patients aged
t-tests (for quantitative variables) or w2 tests (for qualitative
>65 years represented 16% of the ITT population. Baseline
variables). Normal data distribution and homogeneity of
patient characteristics are summarised in Table 1. There were
variance were confirmed by comparing actual normal prob-
no significant differences between treatment groups for any of
ability plots and scatter plots of residuals with their predicted
Efficacy comparisons between treatment groups were made
ANOVA followed by t-tests. In addition, any effects of
treatment-by-baseline and treatment-by-centre interactions
Changes in DBP (baseline to 0–24-h period after dosing). The
were assessed by analysis of covariance, with interaction
mean change in DBP between the baseline and the 0–24-h
terms disregarded if not significant.
period after the last dose of study medication was significantly
Statistical significance for all efficacy comparisons was set at
greater in patients receiving candesartan cilexetil 8 mg
(À7.3 mmHg Æ 6.9 mmHg) than in patients receiving
Between-group comparisons of adverse event incidences
losartan 50 mg (À5.1 mmHg Æ 4.9 mmHg, p < 0.05), or
were made on a nonstatistical basis.
placebo (0.3 mmHg Æ 6.5 mmHg, p < 0.001) (Figure 1).
The calculation of sample size for the ABPM analysis was
Changes in SBP (baseline to 0–24-h period after dosing). The
based on the results of a previous study (24), and these results
mean change in SBP between the baseline and the 0–24-h
suggest that the standard deviation of the mean for change in
period after the last dose of study medication was significantly
ambulatory DBP between the 12th and the 24th hour (the
greater (p < 0.001) in patients receiving candesartan cilexetil
main criterion adopted in this study) is close to 10 mmHg.
8 mg (À10.8 mmHg Æ 11.3 mmHg), or losartan 50 mg
Furthermore, the minimum improvement of clinical value
was taken as 5 mmHg. Assuming a dropout rate of approxi-
receiving placebo (þ1.2 mmHg Æ 9.9 mmHg) (Figure 1).
mately 10% and a number of ‘white coat’ patients of 20%,
There was no difference of the mean change in SBP
the required number of evaluable patients per treatment
between candesartan cilexetil and losartan groups.
ª 2006 The AuthorsJournal compilation ª 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd Int J Clin Pract, April 2006, 60, 4, 391–398
Table 1 Baseline characteristics of patients (intention-to-treat population, mean Æ SD)
DBP, diastolic blood pressure; HR, heart rate; SBP, systolic blood pressure.
Changes in DBP and SBP (baseline to 0–36-h period after
a lower BP (p < 0.001) than those receiving placebo. There was
dosing). The mean changes in DBP and SBP between the baseline
no difference of the mean change in SBP between candesartan
and the 0–36-h period after the last dose of study medication were
cilexetil and losartan groups. Patients treated by candesartan
cilexetil had a higher decrease of DBP over the 0–36-h period
respectively, with candesartan cilexetil 8 mg (Figure 1). This
than those treated by losartan (p < 0.01).
was compared with mean changes in DBP and SBP in patients
SBP. Candesartan cilexetil 8 mg was associated with mean
À8.2 mmHg Æ 8.8 mmHg, respectively, and of þ0.2 mmHg
changes in DBP (Figure 2) and SBP of À7.0 mmHg Æ 7.3
Æ 6.2 and þ1.1 mmHg Æ 9.2 mmHg, respectively, in patients
receiving placebo. Patients receiving either active treatment had
0–24-h and 0–36-h diastolic blood pressure
(DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) inpatients with mild-to-moderate hyperten-
sion, after 6 weeks of once-daily treatment
with candesartan cilexetil 8 mg, losartan
Journal compilation ª 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd Int J Clin Pract, April 2006, 60, 4, 391–398
Changes in DBP and SBP (mmHg) at 12–24 h
†p = 0.018 vs. losartan 50 mg ‡ p = 0.011 vs. losartan 50 mg
Figure 2 Mean changes from baseline in daytime (7 am to 10 pm)
and night-time (10 pm to 7 am) diastolic blood pressure (DBP), in
patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension receiving once-dailycandesartan cilexetil 8 mg, losartan 50 mg or placebo. Data are means
Figure 3 Mean changes in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) andsystolic blood pressure (SBP) between 12 and 24 h after receivingcandesartan cilexetil 8 mg, losartan 50 mg or placebo, in patients
À10.5 mmHg Æ 12.6 mmHg, respectively, during night-
with mild-to-moderate hypertension. Data are means
time. These changes were higher for the DBP withcandesartan cilexetil 8 mg than those observed in patients
similar in all three treatment groups (candesartan cilexetil:
receiving losartan 50 mg. Indeed, with losartan, mean changes
in DBP and SBP were of À4.7 mmHg Æ 4.8 mmHg
(p < 0.05) and À7.9 mmHg Æ 9.5 mmHg (ns), respectively,
Tolerability. The tolerability of both active drugs in this
comparative study was excellent, with no clinically significant
difference in the type or incidence of adverse events compared
respectively, during night-time. Mean changes in DBP and
with those reported by patients receiving placebo.
SBP in the placebo group were lower (p < 0.001) thanthose in the both treated groups: þ0.1 mmHg Æ 6.5 mmHg
‘Treatment-by-Baseline BP’ and ‘Treatment-by-Centre’
þ2.3 mmHg Æ 10.1 mmHg, respectively, during night-time.
Covariance analysis revealed no significant ‘treatment-
Changes in DBP and SBP (12–24 h after dose). The mean
by-baseline BP’ or ‘treatment-by-centre’ interactions.
changes in DBP and SBP between 12 and 24 h after dosingwere
13.0 mmHg, respectively, in patients receiving candesartancilexetil 8 mg (Figure 3). Losartan 50 mg was associated with
Compliance with therapy, assessed at the end of the 6-week
a smaller decrease in DBP than candesartan cilexetil
treatment period, was similar in all three treatment groups.
Ninety-seven percent of patients in the candesartan cilexetil
group, 100% of those in the Iosartan group and 96% of those
10.4 mmHg, p ¼ 0.057), between the same two time
in the placebo group were considered highly compliant with
points. These reductions were higher than changes in
receiving placebo (p < 0.001 for all comparisons betweenactive treatments and placebo).
The AT1-receptor blockers are now accepted as an important
Changes in heart rate. The mean changes in heart rate from
advance in hypertension therapy. All members of this drug
baseline to the end of the 6-week treatment period were
class combine an excellent tolerability with efficacy that is at
ª 2006 The AuthorsJournal compilation ª 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd Int J Clin Pract, April 2006, 60, 4, 391–398
least as great as that of ACE inhibitors and other first-line
from the receptor more slowly than other antagonists in the
antihypertensive drugs (25–29). However, it is important to
class. The prolonged binding of candesartan to the receptor is
establish if any one AT1-receptor blocker offers efficacy ben-
reflected in a longer duration of antihypertensive action,
efits over any other. This is a particularly useful distinction to
compared with losartan (42). This suggests that in patients
make, as even small differences in efficacy could have a major
who might miss one 24-h dose, effective BP control is more
impact on population outcome. Moreover, recent guidelines
likely to be maintained in those receiving candesartan cilexetil
have established that efficacy means more than just a short-
than in those given losartan. This observation has important
term effect measured in the clinic a few hours after dosing.
practical implications, because a clinically useful antihyper-
The ideal antihypertensive agent shows maintained efficacy
tensive therapy should be capable of maintaining BP reduc-
throughout, and potentially beyond, the dosing interval, as
tions, even if a dose is delayed for several hours or missed
many patients often forget to take their medication at the
altogether through patient oversight or other circumstances.
We also found that reductions in DBP in patients receiving
The results of our study clearly show that treatment with
candesartan cilexetil 8 mg were larger than the reductions
candesartan cilexetil 8 mg, once daily for 6 weeks, is asso-
associated with losartan 50 mg, regardless of whether mea-
ciated with significantly greater reductions in DBP, measured
surements were made during the daytime (7 am to 10 pm) or
0–24 and 0–36 h after dosing, when compared with losartan
during the night-time (10 pm to 7 am). The greater efficacy
50 mg once daily, given over the same period. This greater
of candesartan cilexetil 8 mg, relative to that of losartan
efficacy of candesartan cilexetil, relative to that of losartan, is
50 mg, was not therefore affected by diurnal fluctuations in
consistent with the results of other direct comparisons of these
BP and was maintained throughout a full 24-h period. These
two agents. The results of a number of head-to-head clinical
findings are consistent with those of other reports (35). All
comparisons have confirmed the superior efficacy of cande-
reductions in BP, whether in patients receiving candesartan
sartan celexetil compared with losartan in terms of reduction
cilexetil or losartan, were also achieved without a significant
in BP and maintenance of antihypertensive efficacy between
doses, when compared at once daily maximum doses (30–34).
The reductions in SBP in patients receiving candesartan
A study performed in mild-to-moderate hypertensive patients
cilexetil 8 mg or losartan 50 mg are also clinically important
has found, using ABPM, that candesartan reduced both SBP
in the context of the increased recognition of the significance
and DBP to a significantly greater extent than losartan when
of elevated SBP in cardiovascular disease (43,44).
measured at 24 or 36 h postdose (35). As previously men-
As in other clinical trials, the tolerability of candesartan
tioned, there are some pharmacodynamic and pharmacoki-
cilexetil 8 mg and losartan 50 mg in this comparative study
netic differences between these AT1-receptor blockers, which
was excellent, with no clinically significant difference in the
may reflect in their clinical efficacy, especially at the end of
type or incidence of adverse events compared with those
the dosing interval. It is possible that these differences may be
reported by patients receiving placebo. This was reflected in
due to molecular differences and to variations in the degree
high compliance with AT1-receptor blocker therapy over the
and duration of receptor blockade (36,37). In a randomised,
double-blind, parallel-group study, candesartan cilexetil was
In conclusion, in patients with mild-to-moderate hyperten-
shown to display the highest pharmacological potency (i.e.
sion, candesartan cilexetil 8 mg had greater, more consistent
antagonistic activity per mg substance) of the AT1-receptor
antihypertensive efficacy, throughout both the day and the
blockers studied (losartan, irbesartan, valsartan and telmisar-
night, compared with that of losartan 50 mg. The persistence
tan) (38). Candesartan cilexetil showed a clear dose–response
of this greater antihypertensive effect beyond the 24-h dosing
relationship for efficacy in the range 4–16 mg (39,40),
interval might provide greater BP control in patients receiving
whereas there appears to be little increase in efficacy when
candesartan cilexetil 8 mg, compared with those given losar-
the dose of losartan is increased from 50 to 100 mg.
tan 50 mg, if a dose is delayed or missed. Furthermore, the
In addition, ambulatory monitoring allowed us to show
superior antihypertensive effect of candesartan cilexetil 8 mg,
that, although the antihypertensive effects of both candesartan
compared with losartan 50 mg, is maintained without any
cilexetil 8 mg and losartan 50 mg persisted for more than
compromise of the excellent tolerability that is a general
24 h, the efficacy of candesartan cilexetil remained much
characteristic of the AT1-receptor blocker class.
greater than that of losartan for at least 36 h after dosing. This is consistent with the findings of other investigators(13,33,35,41). Indeed, significant antihypertensive effects of
candesartan cilexetil have been detected 48 h after dosing,
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Feline Inflammatory Bowel Disease Gastrointestinal disorders are among the most common problems encountered in feline medicine. Most vomiting and diarrhea episodes occur suddenly and resolve quickly. The causes are usually benign, such as eating an unfamiliar food. However, some patients may have vomiting and/or diarrhea over a period of weeks to months. In the diagnosis of these chronic
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