Drug Of Interest Essay

Drug of Interest: Atacand Atacand is the pharmaceutical brand name for the pro-drug Candesartan and its API, Candesartan cilexetil. It was discovered that the API, candesartan cilexetil, once activated into candesartan, displayed a new generation of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers against hypertension. More recent and up to date studies of the drug, have suggested utilizing the drug in renal and cardiovascular diseases as well as a possible aid for migraines. In this report, I will define Atacand, its API, chemical form and other important properties. I will give a descriptive input into its uses, dosages and other tablet characteristics.

Uses of Atacand:

Treatment of : 1) Hypertension in adults and children 6<17years old): The regular dose is 4mg once daily. In relation to weight, paediatrics less than 50kg with hypertension, are treated with a max dose of 8mg.

8This is done by incorporating Cilexetil Trityl-Candesartan crystals, after first grinding them into a powder using a mortar and pestle,(e.g.50g), in water(2.64g) and methanol(500mL) and then refluxing,(16.5hr), it to make a Candesartan Cilexetil solution. Heat is applied to the solution at 40°C to receive a solid residue(51.7g) and dispersed at 60°C in a mixture of toluene and methanol(ratio example: 95:5) and cooled. Filtrated precipitate is washed with cold toluene and methanol(same ratio as before). The final product is dried,(e.g. for 2hours), at 50°C. After the drying step, the now crude Candesartan cilexetil,(32g) is once again dissolved in methanol,(160g solution), filtered and stirred(for e.g.15hours). The remaining solids are filtered and washed with methanol giving a damp product to be dried for 1hour at 50°C. The final and pure product is a white solid,(e.g. 21.1g). The solid’s purity is then identified using HPLC method, (for this example purity was