Azilcad

Azilcad Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE, kinase II). Angiotensin II is the principal pressor agent of the renin-angiotensin system, with effects that include vasoconstriction, stimulation of synthesis and release of aldosterone, cardiac stimulation, and renal reabsorption of sodium. Azilsartan medoxomil is an orally administered prodrug that is rapidly converted by esterases during absorption to the active moiety, azilsartan. Azilsartan blocks the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II by selectively blocking the binding of angiotensin II to the AT1 receptor in many tissues, such as vascular smooth muscle and the adrenal gland. Its action is, therefore, independent of the pathway for angiotensin II synthesis.

An AT2 receptor is also found in many tissues, but this receptor is not known to be associated with cardiovascular homeostasis. Azilsartan has more than a 10,000-fold greater affinity for the AT1 receptor than for the AT2 receptor.

Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system with ACE inhibitors, which inhibit the biosynthesis of angiotensin II from angiotensin I, is widely used in the treatment of hypertension. ACE inhibitors also inhibit the degradation of bradykinin, a reaction catalyzed by ACE. Because azilsartan does not inhibit ACE (kinase II), it should not affect bradykinin levels. Whether this difference has clinical relevance is not yet known. Azilsartan does not bind to or block other receptors or ion channels known to be important in cardiovascular regulation.

Blockade of the angiotensin II receptor inhibits the negative regulatory feedback of angiotensin II on renin secretion, but the resulting increased plasma renin activity and angiotensin II circulating levels do not overcome the effect of azilsartan on blood pressure.

Pharmacodynamic effects of azilsartan medoxomil are mediated by its active metabolite, azilsartan. Azilsartan inhibits the pressor effects of an angiotensin II infusion in a dose-related manner. At a single 32 mg dose, azilsartan inhibited the maximal pressor effect by approximately 90% at peak plasma concentrations and by 60% at 24 hours after administration. In healthy subjects receiving single and repeated doses of azilsartan medoxomil, plasma angiotensin I and II concentrations and plasma renin activity increased, while plasma aldosterone concentrations decreased. Like other ARBs, azilsartan causes dose-dependent decrease in peripheral resistance and decreases smooth muscle vascular tone. As azilsartan blocks the angiotensin II receptor, the negative regulatory feedback of angiotensin II on renin secretion is inhibited; however, the resulting increased plasma renin activity and angiotensin II circulating levels do not overcome the blood pressure-lowering effect of azilsartan. Blood pressure-lowering effects of antihypertensive agents can be reduced in patients of African descent. However, there are no recommended dosage adjustment of azilsartan on the basis of a patient’s sex, race, or degree of renal or hepatic impairment.

Azilsartan medoxomil has negligible effects on serum potassium or sodium levels. Azilsartan does not affect the biosynthesis of angiotensin II nor bradykinin levels. It also does not bind to any ion channels that are involved in cardiovascular regulation.

Azilcad
Uses
Dosage
Side Effect
Precautions
Interactions
Uses during Pregnancy
Uses during Breastfeeding
Accute Overdose
Food Interaction
Half Life
Volume of Distribution
Clearance
Interaction With other Medicine
Contradiction
Storage

Trade Name	Azilcad
Generic	Azilsartan Medoxomil
Azilsartan Medoxomil Other Names	Azilsartan, Azilsartan kamedoxomil, Azilsartan médoxomil, Azilsartan medoxomil, Azilsartán medoxomilo, Azilsartanum medoxomilum
Type	Tablet
Formula	C₃₀H₂₄N₄O₈
Weight	Average: 568.5336 Monoisotopic: 568.159413764
Protein binding	Azilsartan is >99% bound to human plasma proteins, mainly serum albumin. Protein binding is constant at azilsartan plasma concentrations well above the range achieved with recommended doses.
Groups	Approved, Investigational
Therapeutic Class	Angiotensin-ll receptor blocker
Manufacturer	Zydus Cadila Healthcare Ltd
Available Country	India
Last Updated:	September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am

Uses

Azilsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used for the treatment of hypertension to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. These benefits have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs from a wide variety of pharmacologic classes, including the class to which this drug principally belongs. There are no controlled trials demonstrating risk reduction with Azilsartan.

Control of high blood pressure should be part of comprehensive cardiovascular risk management, including, as appropriate, lipid control, diabetes management, antithrombotic therapy, smoking cessation, exercise, and limited sodium intake. Many patients will require more than one drug to achieve blood pressure goals. For specific advice on goals and management, see published guidelines, such as those of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program's Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC).

Azilcad is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Albuminuria, Atrial Fibrillation, High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

How Azilcad works

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system regulates blood pressure. Angiotensin II is a peptide hormone that is a principal pressor agent in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. It is a potent, direct vasoconstrictor that binds to the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1 receptor) to stimulate the synthesis and release of aldosterone and promote cardiac stimulation. Angiotensin II promotes renal tubular reabsorption of sodium, resulting in water retention. It also inhibits further secretion of renin. AT1 receptors are highly expressed in vascular smooth muscle and the adrenal gland.

Azilsartan medoxomil is a prodrug that is hydrolyzed to its active metabolite, azilsartan, in the gastrointestinal tract following oral administration. Azilsartan selectively binds to AT1 receptors as an antagonist, blocking vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II. Azilsartan has more than a 10,000-fold greater affinity for the AT1 receptor than for the AT2 receptor, which is predominantly involved in cardiovascular homeostasis. Azilsartan appears to dissociate from AT1 receptors much more slowly than other ARBs, which explains its longer duration of action when compared to other ARBs.

Dosage

Azilcad dosage

The recommended dose in adults is 80 mg taken orally once daily. Consider a starting dose of 40 mg for patients who are treated with high doses ofdiuretics. If blood pressure is not controlled with Azilsartan alone, additional blood pressure reduction can be achieved by taking Azilsartan with other antihypertensive agents. Azilsartan may be taken with or without food

Side Effects

Dizziness, diarrhoea, increased blood creatinine.

Toxicity

No maximum toxic doses have been established yet for azilsartan. There is limited human data available related to azilsartan medoxomil overdosage. In clinical trials, healthy subjects tolerated once-daily doses up to 320 mg of azilsartan medoxomil well. In the event of drug overdose, supportive measures should be initiated as azilsartan is not dialyzable.

Azilsartan is a teratogenic agent with a risk of congenital abnormalities. Azilsartan and other ARB drugs are considered fetotoxic during the second and third trimesters.

Precaution

CHF, severe renal & hepatic impairment, ESRD, renal artery stenosis. Ischaemic cardiomyopathy or ischaemic cerebrovascular disease. Salt-depleted patients, primary hyperaldosteronism. Monitor serum K in patients taking K-sparing diuretics, salt substitutes containing K & drugs that increase K levels (eg, heparin) & creatinine levels in patients with renal impairment & DM. Aortic or mitral valve stenosis, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Interaction

Reversibly increases serum concentration & toxicity of lithium; attenuated antihypertensive effects & risk of worsening of renal function may occur with NSAIDs. Hyperkalemia with K-sparing diuretics & K supplements.

Food Interaction

Take with or without food. Food does not affect the bioavailability.

Volume of Distribution

The volume of distribution of azilsartan is approximately 16 L. In rats, a minimal amount of radiolabelled drug crossed the blood-brain barrier. Azilsartan crossed the placental barrier in pregnant rats and was distributed to the fetus.

Elimination Route

During absorption, azilsartan medoxomil is hydrolyzed to azilsartan. The parent drug is not detectable in plasma after oral administration. The absolute bioavailability of azilsartan is estimated to be 60%. T_max ranges from 1.5 to three hours. Steady-state levels of azilsartan are achieved within five days, and no accumulation in plasma occurs with repeated once-daily dosing.

Half Life

The elimination half-life of azilsartan is approximately 11 hours.

Clearance

Renal clearance of azilsartan is approximately 2.3 mL/min.

Elimination Route

Following oral administration of 14C-labeled azilsartan medoxomil, approximately 55% of radioactivity was recovered in feces and approximately 42% in urine. Of the recovered dose in urine, about 15% was excreted as azilsartan.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy Category D. There is positive evidence of human foetal risk, but the benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk (e.g., if the drug is needed in a life threatening situation or for a serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective).