Astra Merck, Inc. announced it has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market Atacand (R) (candesartan cilexetil) for once-daily treatment of hypertension. Atacand belongs to a group of antihypertensive medications called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) which represent the first new class of antihypertensive agents in the U.S. in more than a decade.

In clinical trials involving more than 7000 hypertensive patients, Atacand has been shown to reduce blood pressure in a consistent and dose-dependent manner over a 24-hour period. In clinical trials, treatment with Atacand has been well tolerated with an adverse event rate similar to placebo.

Adverse experiences that occurred in at least one percent of patients treated with Atacand and at a higher incidence versus placebo included back pain, dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngitis and rhinitis. Atacand should not be used in women who are pregnant or by people who are allergic to any component of the medication.