Azilsartan medoxomil
Azilsartan medoxomil is a prodrug that is broken down to azilsartan, which belongs in the angiotensin-receptor blocking (ARB) drug class. It is a selective AT1 subtype angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Azilsartan medoxomil is a relatively recently-developed antihypertensive drug that was first approved by the FDA in February 2011. Many guidelines recommend the use of ARBs as first-line therapy when initiating antihypertensive therapy and indicate that the clinical efficacy of ARBs is comparable to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors that are also used as first-line treatment for hypertension.  Azilsartan medoxomil is marketed under the brand name Edarbi. It is used to treat hypertension as monotherapy or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs. It is also available in a combination product with [chlorthalidone]. As hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, early management of hypertension has several implications on patients' survival rate and quality of life in the future. Lowering blood pressure is associated with a reduced risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. Azilsartan medoxomil is thus speculated to lower mortality rates and the onset of cardiovascular disease. Although there is no clinical significance yet determined, azilsartan medoxomil may have potential off-label uses in patients with a history of myocardial infarction or heart failure.