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What is Candesartan Cilexetil?
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Candesartan
Cilexetil is in a class of drugs called angiotensin
receptor blockers, which includes losartan (Cozaar),
valsartan
(Diovan), and irbesartan
(Avapro). Like these other drugs, Candesartan Cilexetil
blocks the ability of the chemical angiotensin II to
raise the blood pressure by constricting or squeezing
arteries and veins. This leads to a reduction in blood
pressure. In addition, by reducing the pressure against
which the heart must pump blood, Candesartan Cilexetil
reduces the work of the heart. The effects of
angiotensin II also can be blocked by another class of
drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitors, which prevent the formation of angiotensin
II. ACE inhibitors include captopril(Capoten), enalapril
(Vasotec), benazepril (Lotensin), and lisinopril
(Zestril).)
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How does Candesartan
Cilexetil work?
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Candesartan
is used to treat high blood pressure. It may be used
alone or in combination with other drugs. It has less of
an effect in black patients, as do ACE inhibitors.
Angiotensin receptor blockers are being studied in
patients with congestive heart failure to reduce the
work of the heart and for protection of the kidneys in
patients with diabetes. For these purposes, the blockers
appear to be approximately as effective as ACE
inhibitors.
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The history of Candesartan
Cilexetil
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The FDA approved Candesartan Cilexetil in 1998.
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What is Candesartan Cilexetil
used for?
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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 l 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
Cilexetil , which is achiral.
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Candesartan
Cilexetil mode of action
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Candesartan
Cilexetil is available for oral
use as tablets containing either 4 mg, 8 mg, 16 mg, or
32 mg of Candesartan Cilexetil
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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Candesartan
Cilexetil side effects
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The
most common side effect with candesartan is dizziness,
which occurs in 1 out of every 25 persons).
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Candesartan
Cilexetil Special Conditions To Observe
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DRUG INTERACTIONS: No important drug interactions have been described with
candesartan. Since ACE inhibitors and angiotensin
receptor blockers both can increase the concentrations
of potassium in the blood, other medications that can
increase the concentration of potassium in the blood,
such as hydrodiuril (Dyazide), spironolactone (Aldactone), and potassium supplements, should
be used cautiously with candesartan.
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NURSING MOTHERS: Losartan (Cozaar) is secreted in rat milk, and is toxic
to newborn rats. Since candesartan is chemically similar
to losartan, it should be avoided in nursing mothers.
It's safety and efficacy in children has not been
established.
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PREGNANCY:
When used in the second or third trimester of pregnancy,
ACE inhibitors can cause injury and even death to the
fetus. Therefore, candesartan--which has an action that
is similar to the ACE inhibitors--should not be used
during pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, candesartan
should be stopped as soon as possible.
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Disclaimer:
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Information on
this page is provided for general information purposes.
You should not make a clinical treatment decision based
on information contained in this page without consulting
other references including the package insert of the
drug, textbooks and where relevant, expert opinion. We
cannot be held responsible for any errors you make in
administering drugs mentioned on this page, nor for use
of any erroneous information contained on this page.
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