Atacand (candesartan cilexetil) is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), indicated for the treatment of patients with hypertension and patients with chronic heart failure(CHF) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Atacand acts on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which plays an important role in regulating blood pressure. Angiotensin II, the main effector hormone in the RAS, mediates a wide range of responses such as vasoconstriction, sodium and fluid retention, cell growth, and sympathetic activation. Atacand binds to the AT1-receptor thereby blocking it's interaction with angiotensin II. This blockade leads to vasodilatation and a decrease in blood pressure. Atacand is at least as effective as other antihypertensive drugs but with the advantage of the better tolerability profile assocaited with ARBs. The ARBs is the newest class of antihypertensives.

The CHARM (Candesartan in Heart failure - Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidity) Study Programme investigated the effects of Atacand in CHF. CHARM consisted of 3 trials; CHARM-Alternative, CHARM-Added, and CHARM-Preserved. In the CHARM Study Programme, Atacand was demonstrated to be the first ARB to reduce both deaths and heart failure hospital admissions in chronic heart failure patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, irrespective of background therapy (including ACE inhibitors). The study results, presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in 2003, formed the basis for the approval of the heart failure indication for Atacand.

Ongoing research includes the DIRECT (DIabetic REtinopathy Candesartan Trials) Programme which investigates the effects of Atacand on retinal damage and visual loss related to diabetes. DIRECT is scheduled to report mid 2008.

Atacand is available as a once-a-day tablet (4, 8, 16, and 32 mg).

Atacand was first launched for hypertension in 1997 and is currently approved and marketed in over 70 countries around the world. In 2004 Atacand received the first approval for the treatment of CHF in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Ratacand is an alternative brand name for Atacand.



Atacand Plus
Atacand Plus (candesartan cilexetil/hydrochlorothiazide) is a fixed combination of Atacand and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), indicated for the treatment of hypertension in patients who need more than monotherapy.

Atacand Plus is available as a once daily tablet (16 mg candesartan cilexetil and 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide).

Atacand Plus was first launched in January 2000 and is currently approved and launched in over 45 countries. Alternative brand names are Atacand HCT, Hytacand and Ratacand Plus.