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azilsartan vs candesartan

Side-by-side comparison of azilsartan and candesartan Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

Drug Class
azilsartan Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)
candesartan Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)
Type
azilsartan Prescription
candesartan Prescription
Summary
azilsartan

Edarbyclor is a drug that combines two medicines to lower high blood pressure. It helps reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

candesartan

Candesartan is a medicine that lowers blood pressure. It can also help treat heart failure.

What It Treats
azilsartan

Edarbyclor is used to treat high blood pressure. It can be used if one medicine isn't enough to control your blood pressure. It can also be used as the first medicine if you likely need more than one drug. Lowering blood pressure helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.

candesartan

Candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children ages 1 to 17. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Candesartan also treats heart failure by reducing the risk of death and hospitalization.

How It Works
azilsartan

Edarbyclor contains two medicines that work in different ways to lower blood pressure. One medicine blocks a substance that tightens blood vessels. The other medicine helps your body get rid of extra salt and water.

candesartan

Candesartan blocks a substance in your body that tightens blood vessels. This helps blood vessels relax and widens them. As a result, blood pressure is lowered and the heart can pump blood more easily.

Common Side Effects
azilsartan
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
candesartan
  • Dizziness
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Back pain
  • Pharyngitis (sore throat)
  • Rhinitis (runny nose)
FAERS Reports
azilsartan

No adverse event reports.

candesartan
  • Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 3,515
  • Shortness of breath 3,169
  • Tiredness 3,158
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 2,989
  • Loose stools 2,764
Serious Warnings
azilsartan

Edarbyclor can harm your unborn baby. If you are pregnant or become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away.

candesartan

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, stop taking this medicine right away. Candesartan can harm or cause death to your unborn baby.

Pregnancy
azilsartan

Edarbyclor can cause harm to an unborn baby, including injury or death. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking Edarbyclor.

candesartan

Candesartan can cause serious harm to an unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medicine.

Also Compare — Nearby Drugs

How to Read This azilsartan vs candesartan Comparison

azilsartan is classified in the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) drug class, while candesartan sits within the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, azilsartan has 0 submissions while candesartan has 15,595. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between azilsartan and candesartan — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.