Changing from losartan to candesartan achieves significant reductions in blood pressure over a two-year period according to a study in the January issue of IJCP, the International Journal of Clinical Practice.1 In addition, the cost of candesartan is 21-23% lower than losartan, therefore offering significantly greater cost effectiveness.

Of 94 patients still registered at a Primary Care Practice and taking an angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) 2 years after a switch from losartan to candesartan, 98% were still taking candesartan. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 7.0 and 2.0 mmHg lower respectively 2 years after the change. This was statistically significant (P