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This 4-week randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study (N=240), 1-year open label trial (N=233), and single-dose pharmacokinetic study (N=22) evaluated candesartan cilexetil (3 doses) in hypertensive children aged 6 to 17 years. Seventy-one percent were 12 years of age or older, 71% were male, and 47% were black. Systolic (SBP)/diastolic (DBP) blood pressure declined 8.6/4.8-11.2/8.0 mm Hg with candesartan and 3.7/1.8 mm Hg with placebo (P<.01 compared to placebo for SBP and for the mid and high doses for DBP; placebo-corrected 4.9/3.0-7.5/6.2 mm Hg). The slopes for dose were not, however, different from zero (P>.05). The response rate (SBP and DBP <95th percentile) after 1 year was 53%. The pharmacokinetic profiles in 6- to 12- and 12- to 17-year-olds were similar and were comparable to adults. Eight candesartan patients discontinued treatment because of an adverse event. Candesartan is an effective, well-tolerated antihypertensive agent for children aged 6 to 17 years and has a pharmacokinetic profile that is similar to that in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]