AZ gets nod in EU for two new Atacand doses

Anglo-Swedish drug major AstraZeneca has received European approval for two new dose strengths of its the angiotensin receptor blocker Atacand  Plus (candesartan cilexetil 32mg, with HCT 12.5mg or 25mg), for the  treatment of hypertension when the disease is not optimally controlled  by monotherapy alone.

The trials supporting the new dose strengths included a study with an  eight-weekm single-blind run-in phase on candesartan cilexetil 16mg (for  two weeks) and 32mg followed by an eight-week randomized, double-blind  phase with three parallel treatment groups (candesartan cilexetil 32mg,  candesartan cilexetil-HCT 32/12.5mg or candesartan cilexetil-HCT  32/25mg). Another study with a five-week placebo run-in, randomized  patients to an eight-week double-blind treatment with placebo, HCT 25mg,  candesartan cilexetil 32mg or candesartan cilexetil-HCT 32/25mg.  A  third study consisted of an eight-week double-blind treatment period  with patients randomized to placebo, HCT 12.5 mg, candesartan cilexetil  32mg, or candesartan cilexetil-HCT 32/12.5mg.

Senior research physician Bjorn Karlson said: "the new higher dose  strengths of Atacand Plus add to the broad range of Atacand hypertension  options and offer physicians new solutions with proven efficacy and good  tolerability to help their hypertensive patients achieve their blood  pressure targets."