Azilsartan

Azilsartan

Azilsartan medoxomil

Information about Azilsartan

Azilsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used in the therapy of hypertension.

Liver safety of Azilsartan

It is associated with a low rate of transient serum aminotransferase elevations, but has yet to be linked to instances of acute liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Azilsartan

Azilsartan (ay" sil sar' tan) is an ARB used alone or in combination with other agents for therapy of hypertension. Azilsartan inhibits the renin-angiotensin system by blocking the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1), which prevents the vasoconstriction and volume expansion induced by circulating angiotensin II and which accounts for its antihypertensive activity.

FDA approval information for Azilsartan

Azilsartan was approved for use in the United States in 2011 (the eighth ARB approved for hypertension).

Current indications are for treatment of hypertension, either alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.

Dosage and administration for Azilsartan

Azilsartan is available in 40 and 80 mg tablets under the trade name Edarbi. Fixed combinations of azilsartan (40 mg) with chlorthalidone (12.5 or 25 mg) are also available under the brand name Edarbyclor. The typical dose in adults in 40 to 80 mg once daily, and it is used long term.

Side effects of Azilsartan

Side effects are uncommon, but may include headache, dizziness, fatigue, cough, gastrointestinal upset, and fetal toxicity. Several ARBs, but not specifically azilsartan, have been linked to a severe sprue-like enteropathy that typically arises after months or years of therapy and is unresponsive to gluten withdrawal, but resolves promptly with stopping the angiotensin receptor antagonist. Common ACE inhibitors include the following:

• Benazepril
• Captopril
• Enalapril
• Fosinopril
• Lisinopril
• Moexipril
• Perindopril
• Quinapril
• Ramipril
• Trandolapril

The common ARBS are the following:

• Azilsartan
• Candesartan
• Eprosartan
• Irbesartan
• Losartan
• Olmesartan
• Telmisartan
• Valsartan

• Dailymed label info on Azilsartan
• FDA Azilsartan