阿斯利康公司宣布，FDA已经批准Atacand（candesartan cilexetil）片剂用于减少心衰患者的心血管死亡率及住院率。Atacand为血管紧张素受体抑制剂（ARB），目前已在临床上用于高血压的治疗。
本次批准是基于一项名为CHARM的临床试验结果做出的，该试验将2000多名无法耐受ACE抑制剂，但正在接受其他心衰疗法的患者使用Atacand的效果与安慰剂进行了比较。
结果显示，使用Atacand后，这些慢性心衰患者的心血管死亡率及住院率的相对危险性减少了23%,另一项跟进性的试验也产生了类似的结果。综合来看，Atacand用药患者的心血管死亡风险降低了15%,心衰症状也得到了改善。

英文药名: Atacand (Candesartan Cilexetil Tablets)

中文药名: 坎地沙坦片

生产品牌药厂家: AstraZeneca

药物名称

药物名称： 坎地沙坦
英文名称： Candesartan
中文别名： 坎地沙坦环己氧羰氧乙酯
英文别名：Candesartan Hexetil; Atacand
 
【规格】

坎地沙坦酯片 4mg；8mg ；16mg; 32mg

【成份】本品主要成份为坎地沙坦酯,化学名称为　(±)-1-[[(环已氧代)羰基]氧代]乙基-2-乙氧基-1-[[2′-(1H-四氮唑基-5)-[1,1′-联苯基]-4-基]甲基]-1H-苯并咪唑-7-羧酸酯.
【药代动力学】坎地沙坦酯为坎地沙坦的前体药,在经肠道吸收期间即迅速、完全地水解为坎地沙坦，坎地沙坦的绝对生物利用度约为15%，血浆坎地沙坦浓度的达峰时间为3-4小时。坎地沙坦与血浆蛋白的结合率大于99%，表观分布容积为0.13L/kg。大鼠实验证明，坎地沙坦极少通过血脑屏障，但可透过屏障并分布到胎仔。
坎地沙坦主要以原形经尿、粪排泄，极少部分在肝脏经0-去乙基化反应生成无活性代谢产物。坎地沙坦的排泄半衰期为9小时。高血压患者口服本品2-16mg/天，连续用药4周，坎地沙坦的血浆清除率为14.07L/h,终末清除半衰期为9-13小时。
【药理作用】
坎地沙坦西酯在体内迅速被水解成活性代谢物坎地沙坦。坎地沙坦为血管紧张素II AT1受体拮抗剂，通过与血管平滑肌AT1受体结合而拮抗血管紧张素II的血管收缩作用，从而降低末梢血管阻力。
另有认为：坎地沙坦可通过抑制肾上腺分泌醛固酮而发挥一定的降压作用。
在高血压患者进行的试验显示：患者多次服用本品可致血浆肾素活性、血管紧张素Ⅰ浓度及血管紧张素Ⅱ浓度升高；本品2～8mg每日1次连续用药，可使收缩压、舒张压下降，左室心肌重量、末梢血管阻力减少，而对心排出量、射血分数、肾血管阻力、肾血流量、肾小球滤过率无明显影响；对有脑血管障碍的原发性高血压患者，对脑血流量无影响。
药动学： 坎地沙坦酯为坎地沙坦的前体药,在经肠道吸收期间即迅速、完全地水解为坎地沙坦，坎地沙坦的绝对生物利用度约为15%，血浆坎地沙坦浓度的达峰时间为3-4小时。坎地沙坦与血浆蛋白的结合率大于99%，表观分布容积为0.13L/kg。大鼠实验证明，坎地沙坦极少通过血脑屏障，但可透过屏障并分布到胎仔。
坎地沙坦主要以原形经尿、粪排泄，极少部分在肝脏经0-去乙基化反应生成无活性代谢产物。坎地沙坦的排泄半衰期为9小时。高血压患者口服本品2-16mg/天，连续用药4周，坎地沙坦的血浆清除率为14.07L/h,终末清除半衰期为9-13小时。
【适应症】 用于治疗原发性高血压，本品可单独使用，也可与其它抗高血压药物联用。
【用法用量】 口服，一般成人1日1次，1次4-8mg,必要时可增加剂量至12mg。
任何疑问，请遵医嘱！
 
【不良反应】
严重的不良作用(发生率不明)：
1)血管性水肿：有时出现面部、口唇、舌、咽、喉头等水肿为症状的血管性水肿，应进行仔细的观察，见到异常时，停止用药，并进行适当处理。
2)晕厥和失去意识：过度的降压可能引起晕厥和暂时性失去意识。在这种情况下，应停止服药，并进行适当处理。特别是正进行血液透析的患者、严格进行限盐疗法的患者、最近开始服用利尿降压药的患者，可能会出现血压的迅速降低。因此，这些患者使用本药治疗应从较低的剂量开始服用。如有必要增加剂量，应密切观察患者情况，缓慢进行。
3)急性肾功能衰竭：可能会出现急性肾功能衰竭，应密切观察患者情况。如发现异常，应停止服药，并进行适当处理。
4)高血钾患者：鉴于可能会出现高血钾，应密切观察患者情况。如发现异常，应停止服药，并进行适当处理。
5)肝功能恶化或黄疸：鉴于可能会出现AST(GOT)、ALT(GPT0,γ-GTP等值升高的肝功能障碍或黄疸，应密切观察患者情况。如发现异常，应停止服药，并进行适当处理。
6)粒细胞缺乏症：可能会出现粒细胞缺乏症，应密切观察患者情况。如发现异常，应停止服药，并进行适当处理。
7)横纹肌溶解：可能会出现如表现为肌痛、虚弱、CK增加、血中和尿中的肌球蛋白。如出现上述情况，应停止服药，并进行适当处理。
8)间质性肺炎：可能会出现伴有发热、咳嗽、呼吸困难、胸部X-线检查异常等表现的间质性肺炎。如出现上述情况，应停止服药，并进行适当处理，如用肾上腺皮质激素治疗。
【其它的不良作用】
1)过敏(注1): 皮疹、湿疹、荨麻疹、瘙痒、光过敏 　(注1)：在这种情况下应停止服用。
2)循环系统: 头晕(注2)、蹒跚(注2)、站起时头晕(注2)、心悸、发热 心脏期前收缩、心房颤动 (注2)：在这种情况下应减量或停药，进行适当处理。
3)精神神经系统: 头痛、头重、失眠、嗜睡、舌部麻木、 肢体麻木
4)消化系统: 恶心、呕吐、食欲不振、胃部不适、剑下疼痛、腹泻、口腔炎、 味觉异常
5)肝脏: GOT、GPT、ALP、LDH升高
6)血液: 贫血、白细胞减少、白细胞增多、嗜酸性粒细胞增多、血小板计数降低 　
7)肾脏: BUN、肌酐升高、蛋白尿 　
8)其他: 倦怠、乏力、鼻出血、尿频、水肿、咳嗽、钾、总胆固醇、CPK、CPP、尿酸升高、血清总蛋白减少、 低钠血症
【药物相互作用】 本品与优降糖、尼莫地平、地高辛、华法令、氢氯噻嗪等药品均无明显相互作用，在健康受试者口服避孕药情形下，亦无明显相互作用。由于本品不通过P450肝药酶体系代谢，并对P450代谢无影响，因此，本品与其它能被P450代谢的或影响P450代谢功能的药物间无相互作用。
【注意事项】
1． 慎重用药(对下列患者应慎重用药)
(1) 有双侧或单侧肾动脉狭窄的患者。
(2) 有高血钾的患者。
(3) 有肝功能障碍的患者(有可能使肝功能恶化。并且，据推测活性代谢物坎地沙坦的清除率降低，因此应从小剂量开始服用，慎重用药。
(4) 有严重肾功能障碍的患者(由于过度降压，有可能使肾功能恶化，因此1日1次，从2mg开始服用，慎重用药)。
(5) 有药物过敏史的患者。
(6) 老年患者。
2． 重要的基本注意事项
(1) 有双侧或单侧肾动脉狭窄的患者，服用肾素-血管紧张素-醛固酮系统药物时，由于肾血流和滤过压的降低可能会使肾功能危险性增加，除非被认为治疗必需，应尽量避免服用本药。
(2) 由于可能加重高血钾，除非被认为治疗必需，有高血钾的患者，尽量避免服用本药。另外，有肾功能障碍和不可控制的糖尿病，由于这些患者易发展为高血钾，应密切注意血钾水平。
(3) 由于服用本制剂，有时会引起血压急剧下降，特别对下列患者服用时，应从小剂量开始，增加剂量时，应仔细观察患者的状况，缓慢进行。
a. 进行血液透析的患者。
b. 严格进行限盐疗法的患者。
c. 服用利尿降压药的患者(特别是最近开始服用利尿降压药的患者)。
(4) 因降压作用，有时出现头晕、蹒跚，故进行高空作业、驾驶车辆等操纵时应注意。
(5) 手术前24小时最好停止服用。
(6) 药物交付时：PTP包装的药物应从PTP薄板中取出后服用(有报道因误服PTP薄板坚硬的锐角刺入食道粘膜，进而发生穿孔，并发纵隔炎等严重的合并症)。

【原产地英文商品名】ATACAND 32mg/tablet 30tablets/box
【原产地英文药品名】CANDESARTAN CILEXETIL
【中文参考商品译名】
注：以下产品不同规格和不同价格，购买时请以电话咨询为准!
·ATACAND 4毫克/片 30片/盒
·ATACAND 8毫克/片 30片/盒
·ATACAND 16毫克/片 30片/盒
·ATACAND 32毫克/片 30片/盒
【中文参考药品译名】坎地沙坦酯
【生产厂家中文参考译名】阿斯利康
【生产厂家英文名】ASTRAZENECA

 ATACAND
(candesartan cilexetil) Tablets
DRUG DESCRIPTION
ATACAND (candesartan cilexetil), a prodrug, is hydrolyzed to candesartan during absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. Candesartan is a selective AT1 subtype angiotensin II receptor antagonist.

Candesartan cilexetil, a nonpeptide, is chemically described as (±)-1-Hydroxyethyl 2-ethoxy-1-[p-(o-1H-tetrazol-5-ylphenyl)benzyl]-7-benzimidazolecarboxylate, cyclohexyl carbonate (ester).

Candesartan cilexetil is a white to off-white powder with a molecular weight of 610.67. It is practically insoluble in water and sparingly soluble in methanol. Candesartan cilexetil is a racemic mixture containing one chiral center at the cyclohexyloxycarbonyloxy ethyl ester group. Following oral administration, candesartan cilexetil undergoes hydrolysis at the ester link to form the active drug, candesartan, which is achiral.

ATACAND is available for oral use as tablets containing either 4 mg, 8 mg, 16 mg, or 32 mg of candesartan cilexetil and the following inactive ingredients: hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, lactose, corn starch, carboxymethylcellulose calcium, and magnesium stearate. Ferric oxide (reddish brown) is added to the 8-mg, 16-mg, and 32-mg tablets as a colorant.
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INDICATIONS
Hypertension
ATACAND is indicated for the treatment of hypertension in adults and children 1 to < 17 years of age. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.

Heart Failure
ATACAND is indicated for the treatment of heart failure (NYHA class II-IV) in adults with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction ≤ 40%) to reduce cardiovascular death and to reduce heart failure hospitalizations [see Clinical Studies]. ATACAND also has an added effect on these outcomes when used with an ACE inhibitor.
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DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Adult Hypertension
Dosage must be individualized. Blood pressure response is dose related over the range of 2 to 32 mg. The usual recommended starting dose of ATACAND is 16 mg once daily when it is used as monotherapy in patients who are not volume depleted. ATACAND can be administered once or twice daily with total daily doses ranging from 8 mg to 32 mg. Larger doses do not appear to have a greater effect, and there is relatively little experience with such doses. Most of the antihypertensive effect is present within 2 weeks, and maximal blood pressure reduction is generally obtained within 4 to 6 weeks of treatment with ATACAND.

No initial dosage adjustment is necessary for elderly patients, for patients with mildly impaired renal function, or for patients with mildly impaired hepatic function [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. In patients with moderate hepatic impairment, consideration should be given to initiation of ATACAND at a lower dose [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. For patients with possible depletion of intravascular volume (eg, patients treated with diuretics, particularly those with impaired renal function), ATACAND should be initiated under close medical supervision and consideration should be given to administration of a lower dose [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

ATACAND may be administered with or without food.

If blood pressure is not controlled by ATACAND alone, a diuretic may be added. ATACAND may be administered with other antihypertensive agents.

Pediatric Hypertension 1 to < 17 Years of age
ATACAND may be administered once daily or divided into two equal doses. Adjust the dosage according to blood pressure response. For patients with possible depletion of intravascular volume (e.g., patients treated with diuretics, particularly those with impaired renal function), initiate ATACAND under close medical supervision and consider administration of a lower dose [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Children 1 to < 6 years of age:
The dose range is 0.05 to 0.4 mg/kg per day. The recommended starting dose is 0.20 mg/kg (oral suspension).
Children 6 to < 17 years of age:
For those less than 50 kg, the dose range is 2 to 16 mg per day. The recommended starting dose is 4 to 8 mg.
For those greater than 50 kg, the dose range is 4 to 32 mg per day. The recommended starting dose is 8 to 16 mg.
Doses above 0.4 mg/kg (1 to < 6 year olds) or 32 mg (6 to < 17 year olds) have not been studied in pediatric patients [see Clinical Studies].
An antihypertensive effect is usually present within 2 weeks, with full effect generally obtained within 4 weeks of treatment with ATACAND.
Children < 1 year of age must not receive ATACAND for hypertension.
All pediatric patients with a glomerular filtration rate less than 30 ml/min/1.73m2 should not receive ATACAND since ATACAND has not been studied in this population [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
For children who cannot swallow tablets, an oral suspension may be substituted [see Preparation of Oral Suspension].
Preparation of Oral Suspension
ATACAND oral suspension can be prepared in concentrations within the range of 0.1 to 2.0 mg/mL. Typically, a concentration of 1 mg/mL will be suitable for the prescribed dose. Any strength of ATACAND tablets can be used in the preparation of the suspension.

Follow the steps below for preparation of the suspension. The number of tablets and volume of vehicle specified below will yield 160 mL of a 1 mg/mL suspension.
?Prepare the vehicle by adding equal volumes of *Ora-Plus? (80 mL) and *Ora-Sweet SF? (80 mL) or, alternatively, use *,?Ora-Blend SF? (160 mL).
?Add a small amount of vehicle to the required number of ATACAND tablets (five 32 mg tablets) and grind into a smooth paste using a mortar and pestle.
?Add the paste to a preparation vessel of suitable size.
?Rinse the mortar and pestle clean using the vehicle and add this to the vessel. Repeat, if necessary.
?Prepare the final volume by adding the remaining vehicle.
?Mix thoroughly.
?Dispense into suitably sized amber PET bottles.
?Label with an expiry date of 100 days and include the following instructions:
Store at room temperature (below 30°C/86°F). Use within 30 days after first opening. Do not use after the expiry date stated on the bottle.
Do not freeze.
Shake well before each use.
Adult Heart Failure
The recommended initial dose for treating heart failure is 4 mg once daily. The target dose is 32 mg once daily, which is achieved by doubling the dose at approximately 2-week intervals, as tolerated by the patient.
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HOW SUPPLIED
Dosage Forms And Strengths
4 mg are white to off-white, circular/biconvex-shaped, non-film-coated scored tablets, coded ACF on one side and 004 on the other.

8 mg are light pink, circular/biconvex-shaped, non-filmcoated scored tablets, coded ACG on one side and 008 on the other.

16 mg are pink, circular/biconvex-shaped, non-filmcoated scored tablets, coded ACH on one side and 016 on the other.

32 mg are pink, circular/biconvex-shaped, non-filmcoated scored tablets, coded ACL on one side and 032 on the other.

Storage And Handling
No. 3782 — Tablets ATACAND, 4 mg, are white to off-white, circular/biconvex-shaped, non-film-coated scored tablets, coded ACF on one side and 004 on the other. They are supplied as follows:
NDC 0186-0004-31 unit of use bottles of 30.

No. 3780 — Tablets ATACAND, 8 mg, are light pink, circular/biconvex-shaped, non-film-coated scored tablets, coded ACG on one side and 008 on the other. They are supplied as follows:
NDC 0186-0008-31 unit of use bottles of 30.

No. 3781 — Tablets ATACAND, 16 mg, are pink, circular/biconvex-shaped, non-film-coated scored tablets, coded ACH on one side and 016 on the other. They are supplied as follows:
NDC 0186-0016-31 unit of use bottles of 30
NDC 0186-0016-54 unit of use bottles of 90
NDC 0186-0016-28 unit dose packages of 100.

No. 3791 — Tablets ATACAND, 32 mg, are pink, circular/biconvex-shaped, non-film-coated scored tablets, coded ACL on one side and 032 on the other. They are supplied as follows:
NDC 0186-0032-31 unit of use bottles of 30
NDC 0186-0032-54 unit of use bottles of 90
NDC 0186-0032-28 unit dose packages of 100.
Storage
Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Keep container tightly closed.
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SIDE EFFECTS
Clinical Studies Experience
Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Adult Hypertension
ATACAND has been evaluated for safety in more than 3600 patients/subjects, including more than 3200 patients treated for hypertension. About 600 of these patients were studied for at least 6 months and about 200 for at least 1 year. In general, treatment with ATACAND was well tolerated. The overall incidence of adverse events reported with ATACAND was similar to placebo.
The rate of withdrawals due to adverse events in all trials in patients (7510 total) was 3.3% (ie, 108 of 3260) of patients treated with ATACAND as monotherapy and 3.5% (ie, 39 of 1106) of patients treated with placebo. In placebo-controlled trials, discontinuation of therapy due to clinical adverse events occurred in 2.4% (ie, 57 of 2350) of patients treated with ATACAND and 3.4% (ie, 35 of 1027) of patients treated with placebo.
The most common reasons for discontinuation of therapy with ATACAND were headache (0.6%) and dizziness (0.3%).
The adverse events that occurred in placebo-controlled clinical trials in at least 1% of patients treated with ATACAND and at a higher incidence in candesartan cilexetil (n = 2350) than placebo (n = 1027) patients included back pain (3% vs. 2%), dizziness (4% vs. 3%), upper respiratory tract infection (6% vs. 4%), pharyngitis (2% vs. 1%), and rhinitis (2% vs. 1%).
The following adverse events occurred in placebo-controlled clinical trials at a more than 1% rate but at about the same or greater incidence in patients receiving placebo compared to ATACAND: fatigue, peripheral edema, chest pain, headache, bronchitis, coughing, sinusitis, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, arthralgia, albuminuria.
Other potentially important adverse events that have been reported, whether or not attributed to treatment, with an incidence of 0.5% or greater from the 3260 patients worldwide treated in clinical trials with ATACAND are listed below. It cannot be determined whether these events were causally related to ATACAND. Body as a Whole: asthenia, fever; Central and Peripheral Nervous System: paresthesia, vertigo; Gastrointestinal System Disorder: dyspepsia, gastroenteritis; Heart Rate and Rhythm Disorders: tachycardia, palpitation; Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders: creatine phosphokinase increased, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia; Musculoskeletal System Disorders: myalgia; Platelet/Bleeding-Clotting Disorders: epistaxis; Psychiatric Disorders: anxiety, depression, somnolence; Respiratory System Disorders: dyspnea; Skin and Appendages Disorders: rash, sweating increased; Urinary System Disorders: hematuria.
Other reported events seen less frequently included angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and angioedema.
Adverse events occurred at about the same rates in men and women, older and younger patients, and black and non-black patients.
Pediatric Hypertension
Among children in clinical studies, 1 of 93 children age 1to < 6 and 3 of 240 age 6 to < 17 experienced worsening renal disease. The association between candesartan and exacerbation of the underlying condition could not be excluded.
Heart Failure
The adverse event profile of ATACAND in adult heart failure patients was consistent with the pharmacology of the drug and the health status of the patients. In the CHARM program, comparing ATACAND in total daily doses up to 32 mg once daily (n=3803) with placebo (n=3796), 21.0% of patients discontinued ATACAND for adverse events vs. 16.1% of placebo patients.
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions were identified during post-approval use of ATACAND. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
The following have been very rarely reported in post-marketing experience:
Digestive: Abnormal hepatic function and hepatitis.

Hematologic: Neutropenia, leukopenia, and agranulocytosis.
Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders: hyperkalemia, hyponatremia.
Renal: renal impairment, renal failure.
Skin and Appendages Disorders: Pruritus and urticaria.
Rare reports of rhabdomyolysis have been reported in patients receiving angiotensin II receptor blockers.
Laboratory Test Findings
Hypertension
In controlled clinical trials, clinically important changes in standard laboratory parameters were rarely associated with the administration of ATACAND.
Creatinine, Blood Urea Nitrogen
Minor increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine were observed infrequently.
Hyperuricemia
Hyperuricemia was rarely found (19 or 0.6% of 3260 patients treated with ATACAND and 5 or 0.5% of 1106 patients treated with placebo).
Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
Small decreases in hemoglobin and hematocrit (mean decreases of approximately 0.2 grams/dL and 0.5 volume percent, respectively) were observed in patients treated with ATACAND alone but were rarely of clinical importance. Anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia were associated with withdrawal of one patient each from clinical trials.
Potassium
A small increase (mean increase of 0.1 mEq/L) was observed in patients treated with ATACAND alone but was rarely of clinical importance. One patient from a congestive heart failure trial was withdrawn for hyperkalemia (serum potassium = 7.5 mEq/L). This patient was also receiving spironolactone [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Liver Function Tests
Elevations of liver enzymes and/or serum bilirubin were observed infrequently. Five patients assigned to ATACAND in clinical trials were withdrawn because of abnormal liver chemistries. All had elevated transaminases. Two had mildly elevated total bilirubin, but one of these patients was diagnosed with Hepatitis A.
Heart Failure
In the CHARM program, small increases in serum creatinine (mean increase 0.2 mg/dL in candesartantreated patients and 0.1 mg/dL in placebo-treated patients) and serum potassium (mean increase 0.15 mEq/L in ATACAND treated patients and 0.02 mEq/L in placebo-treated patients), and small decreases in hemoglobin (mean decrease 0.5 gm/dL in ATACAND-treated patients and 0.3 gm/dL in placebo-treated patients) and hematocrit (mean decrease 1.6% in ATACAND-treated patients and 0.9% in placebo-treated patients) were observed.
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DRUG INTERACTIONS
No significant drug interactions have been reported in studies of candesartan cilexetil given with other drugs such as glyburide, nifedipine, digoxin, warfarin, hydrochlorothiazide, and oral contraceptives in healthy volunteers, or given with enalapril to patients with heart failure (NYHA class II and III). Because candesartan is not significantly metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system and at therapeutic concentrations has no effects on P450 enzymes, interactions with drugs that inhibit or are metabolized by those enzymes would not be expected.
Lithium
Reversible increases in serum lithium concentrations and toxicity have been reported during concomitant administration of lithium with ACE inhibitors, and with some angiotensin II receptor antagonists. An increase in serum lithium concentration has been reported during concomitant administration of lithium with ATACAND, so careful monitoring of serum lithium levels is recommended during concomitant use.
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WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
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PRECAUTIONS
Fetal/Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality
Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause fetal and neonatal morbidity and death when administered to pregnant women. Several dozen cases have been reported in the world literature in patients who were taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Post-marketing experience has identified reports of fetal and neonatal toxicity in babies born to women treated with ATACAND during pregnancy. When pregnancy is detected, ATACAND should be discontinued as soon as possible.
The use of drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy has been associated with fetal and neonatal injury, including hypotension, neonatal skull hypoplasia, anuria, reversible or irreversible renal failure, and death. Oligohydramnios has also been reported, presumably resulting from decreased fetal renal function; oligohydramnios in this setting has been associated with fetal limb contractures, craniofacial deformation, and hypoplastic lung development. Prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation, and patent ductus arteriosus have also been reported, although it is not clear whether these occurrences were due to exposure to the drug.
These adverse effects do not appear to have resulted from intrauterine drug exposure that has been limited to the first trimester. Mothers whose embryos and fetuses are exposed to an angiotensin II receptor antagonist only during the first trimester should be so informed. Nonetheless, when patients become pregnant, physicians should have the patient discontinue the use of ATACAND as soon as possible.
Rarely (probably less often than once in every thousand pregnancies), no alternative to a drug acting on the renin-angiotensin system will be found. In these rare cases, the mothers should be apprised of the potential hazards to their fetuses, and serial ultrasound examinations should be performed to assess the intra-amniotic environment.
If oligohydramnios is observed, ATACAND should be discontinued unless it is considered life saving for the mother. Contraction stress testing (CST), a nonstress test (NST), or biophysical profiling (BPP) may be appropriate, depending upon the week of pregnancy. Patients and physicians should be aware, however, that oligohydramnios may not appear until after the fetus has sustained irreversible injury.
Infants with histories of in utero exposure to an angiotensin II receptor antagonist should be closely observed for hypotension, oliguria, and hyperkalemia. If oliguria occurs, attention should be directed toward support of blood pressure and renal perfusion. Exchange transfusion or dialysis may be required as means of reversing hypotension and/or substituting for disordered renal function.
Oral doses ≥ 10 mg of candesartan cilexetil/kg/day administered to pregnant rats during late gestation and continued through  were associated with reduced survival and an increased incidence of hydronephrosis in the offspring. The 10-mg/kg/day dose in rats is approximatelylactation 2.8 times the maximum recommended daily human dose (MRHD) of 32 mg on a mg/m2 basis (comparison assumes human body weight of 50 kg). Candesartan cilexetil given to pregnant rabbits at an oral dose of 3 mg/kg/day (approximately 1.7 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis) caused maternal toxicity (decreased body weight and death) but, in surviving dams, had no adverse effects on fetal survival, fetal weight, or external, visceral, or skeletal development. No maternal toxicity or adverse effects on fetal development were observed when oral doses up to 1000 mg of candesartan cilexetil/kg/day (approximately 138 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis) were administered to pregnant mice.
Morbidity in Infants
Children < 1 year of age must not receive ATACAND for hypertension. The consequences of administering drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) can have effects on the development of immature kidneys.
Hypotension
In adult or children patients with an activated renin-angiotensin system, such as volume- and/or salt-depleted patients (eg, those being treated with diuretics), symptomatic hypotension may occur. These conditions should be corrected prior to administration of ATACAND, or the treatment should start under close medical supervision [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
If hypotension occurs, the patients should be placed in the supine position and, if necessary, given an intravenous infusion of normal saline. A transient hypotensive response is not a contraindication to further treatment which usually can be continued without difficulty once the blood pressure has stabilized.
Caution should be observed when initiating therapy in patients with heart failure. Patients with heart failure given ATACAND commonly have some reduction in blood pressure. In patients with symptomatic hypotension this may require temporarily reducing the dose of ATACAND, or diuretic, or both, and volume repletion. In the CHARM program, hypotension was reported in 18.8% of patients on ATACAND versus 9.8% of patients on placebo. The incidence of hypotension leading to drug discontinuation in ATACAND-treated patients was 4.1% compared with 2.0% in placebo-treated patients.
Monitoring of blood pressure is recommended during dose escalation and periodically thereafter.
Major Surgery/Anesthesia
Hypotension may occur during major surgery and anesthesia in patients treated with angiotensin II receptor antagonists, including ATACAND, due to blockade of the renin-angiotensin system. Very rarely, hypotension may be severe such that it may warrant the use of intravenous fluids and/or vasopressors.
Impaired Hepatic Function
Based on pharmacokinetic data which demonstrate significant increases in candesartan AUC and Cmax in patients with moderate hepatic impairment, a lower initiating dose should be considered for patients with moderate hepatic impairment [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Renal Function Deterioration
As a consequence of inhibiting the renin-angiotensinaldosterone system, changes in renal function may be anticipated in some individuals treated with ATACAND. In patients whose renal function may depend upon the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (eg, patients with severe heart failure), treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor antagonists has been associated with oliguria and/or progressive azotemia and (rarely) with acute renal failure and/or death. Similar results may be anticipated in patients treated with ATACAND [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
In studies of ACE inhibitors in patients with unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenosis, increases in serum creatinine or blood urea nitrogen (BUN) have been reported. There has been no long-term use of ATACAND in patients with unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenosis, but similar results may be expected.
In heart failure patients treated with ATACAND, increases in serum creatinine may occur. Dosage reduction or discontinuation of the diuretic or ATACAND, and volume repletion may be required. In the CHARM program, the incidence of abnormal renal function (e.g., creatinine increase) was 12.5% in patients treated with ATACAND versus 6.3% in patients treated with placebo. The incidence of abnormal renal function (eg, creatinine increase) leading to drug discontinuation in ATACAND-treated patients was 6.3% compared with 2.9% in placebo-treated patients. Evaluation of patients with heart failure should always include assessment of renal function and volume status. Monitoring of serum creatinine is recommended during dose escalation and periodically thereafter.
Pediatrics
ATACAND has not been studied in children with estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2.
Hyperkalemia
In heart failure patients treated with ATACAND, hyperkalemia may occur, especially when taken concomitantly with ACE inhibitors and potassium-sparing diuretics such as spironolactone. In the CHARM program, the incidence of hyperkalemia was 6.3% in patients treated with ATACAND versus 2.1% in patients treated with placebo. The incidence of hyperkalemia leading to drug discontinuation in ATACAND-treated patients was 2.4% compared with 0.6% in placebo-treated patients. During treatment with ATACAND in patients with heart failure, monitoring of serum potassium is recommended during dose escalation and periodically thereafter.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
There was no evidence of carcinogenicity when candesartan cilexetil was orally administered to mice and rats for up to 104 weeks at doses up to 100 and 1000 mg/kg/day, respectively. Rats received the drug by gavage, whereas mice received the drug by dietary administration. These (maximally-tolerated) doses of candesartan cilexetil provided systemic exposures to candesartan (AUCs) that were, in mice, approximately 7 times and, in rats, more than 70 times the exposure in man at the maximum recommended daily human dose (32 mg).
Candesartan and its O-deethyl metabolite tested positive for genotoxicity in the in vitro Chinese hamster lung (CHL) chromosomal aberration assay. Neither compound tested positive in the Ames microbial mutagenesis assay or the in vitro mouse lymphoma cell assay. Candesartan (but not its O-deethyl metabolite) was also evaluated in vivo in the mouse micronucleus test and in vitro in the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) gene mutation assay, in both cases with negative results. Candesartan cilexetil was evaluated in the Ames test, the in vitro mouse lymphoma cell and rat hepatocyte unscheduled DNA synthesis assays and the in vivo mouse micronucleus test, in each case with negative results. Candesartan cilexetil was not evaluated in the CHL chromosomal aberration or CHO gene mutation assay. Fertility and reproductive performance were not affected in studies with male and female rats given oral doses of up to 300 mg/kg/day (83 times the maximum daily human dose of 32 mg on a body surface area basis).
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Categories C (first trimester) and D (second and third trimesters) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Labor and Delivery
The effect of ATACAND on labor and delivery in humans is unknown [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether candesartan is excreted in human milk, but candesartan has been shown to be present in rat milk. Because of the potential for adverse effects on the nursing infant, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue ATACAND, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pediatric Use
The antihypertensive effects of ATACAND were evaluated in hypertensive children 1 to < 17 years of age in randomized, double-blind clinical studies [see Clinical Studies]. The pharmacokinetics of ATACAND have been evaluated in pediatric patients 1 to < 17 years of age [see Pharmacokinetics].
Children < 1 year of age must not receive ATACAND for hypertension [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Geriatric Use
Hypertension
Of the total number of subjects in clinical studies of ATACAND, 21% (683/3260) were 65 and over, while 3% (87/3260) were 75 and over. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger adult subjects, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. In a placebo-controlled trial of about 200 elderly hypertensive patients (ages 65 to 87 years), administration of candesartan cilexetil was well tolerated and lowered blood pressure by about 12/6 mm Hg more than placebo.
Heart Failure
Of the 7599 patients with heart failure in the CHARM program, 4343 (57%) were age 65 years or older and 1736 (23%) were 75 years or older. In patients ≥ 75 years of age, the incidence of drug discontinuations due to adverse events was higher for those treated with ATACAND or placebo compared with patients < 75 years of age. In these patients, the most common adverse events leading to drug discontinuation at an incidence of at least 3%, and more frequent with ATACAND than placebo, were abnormal renal function (7.9% vs. 4.0%), hypotension (5.2% vs. 3.2%) and hyperkalemia (4.2% vs. 0.9%). In addition to monitoring of serum creatinine, potassium, and blood pressure during dose escalation and periodically thereafter, greater sensitivity of some older individuals with heart failure must be considered.
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OVERDOSE
No lethality was observed in acute toxicity studies in mice, rats, and dogs given single oral doses of up to 2000 mg/kg of candesartan cilexetil. In mice given single oral doses of the primary metabolite, candesartan, the minimum lethal dose was greater than 1000 mg/kg but less than 2000 mg/kg.
The most likely manifestation of overdosage with ATACAND would be hypotension, dizziness, and tachycardia; bradycardia could occur from parasympathetic (vagal) stimulation. If symptomatic hypotension should occur, supportive treatment should be instituted.
Candesartan cannot be removed by hemodialysis.
Treatment: To obtain up-to-date information about the treatment of overdose, consult your Regional Poison Control Center. Telephone numbers of certified poison control centers are listed in the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR). In managing overdose, consider the possibilities of multiple-drug overdoses, drug-drug interactions, and altered pharmacokinetics in your patient.
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CONTRAINDICATIONS
ATACAND is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to any component of this product.