Angiotensin II receptor blocker-induces blunted taste sensitivity: comparison of candesartan and valsartan.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the degree of taste disturbance by candesartan and valsartan.


METHODS
Candesartan cilexetil (4 mg day(-1)), valsartan (40 mg day(-1)), or vehicle was given to subjects (n = 8) for 13 days in a randomized, placebo-controlled, three-way crossover design with a 14-days washout period. Gustometry by filter-paper test and electrogustometry were performed before and at the end of each trial. Plasma renin activity and zinc concentrations in serum and saliva were measured.


RESULTS
Detection thresholds of four basic tastes (sweet, salty, sour and bitter) by paper-disc test and electrogustometry were significantly worsened and plasma renin activity was elevated after the test, while the effects of two drugs did not significantly differ. These drugs did not affect zinc concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Both candesartan and valsartan similarly alter taste sensitivity after the repeated dosing of the drug.
Tsuruoka
Shuichi
S
Department of Pharmacology, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Jichi Medical School, Tochigi, Japan. tsuru@jichi.ac.jp
Wakaumi
Michi
M
Ioka
Takashi
T
Yamamoto
Hisashi
H
Ando
Hitoshi
H
Sugimoto
Kohichi
K
Fujimura
Akio
A
D000328:Adult; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects*; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000068756:Valsartan; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000068756:Valsartan; D012083:Renin; D014633:Valine; D015032:Zinc; C077793:candesartan cilexetil