Candesartan
Brand: Atacand (US/EU) / Candesar (IN) / Candebloc (IN) / Candesar (BD)
Antihypertensive
Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
Pharmacokinetics
| Half-life | 9 hours |
| Tmax | 3.5 h |
| Bioavailability | 40 % (approx) |
| Protein Binding | 99 % |
| Volume of Distribution | 0.2 L/kg (approx) |
| Clearance Route | hepatic |
| Active Metabolites | yes |
| Notes | Prodrug; high AT1 receptor affinity; particularly beneficial in heart failure. |
⚠️ Safety & Warnings
Severity: Moderate
Adverse Effects:
Dizziness, hyperkalemia, hypotension; rare renal function changes
Contraindications:
Pregnancy, bilateral renal artery stenosis
Precautions:
Used in heart failure when ACE inhibitors not tolerated; monitor potassium and creatinine