The drug being tested in this study is called TAK-491 (azilsartan medoxomil). Azilsartan medoxomil is being tested to treat Chinese people who have essential hypertension. This study will look at change in blood pressure after 8 weeks of treatment in people who take azilsartan medoxomil compared to people who take valsartan.~The study enrolled 612 patients. Prior to the start of study treatment, participants who have not received antihypertensive treatment within 28 days participated in a 2-week -run in period. Upon completion of the run-in period, participants were randomly assigned (by chance, like flipping a coin) to one of the three treatment groups-which remain undisclosed to the patient and study doctor during the study (unless there is an urgent medical need):~azilsartan medoxomil 40 mg~azilsartan medoxomil 80 mg~Valsartan 160 mg~All participants were asked to take study medication at the same time each day throughout the study.~This multi-centre trial was conducted in China. The overall time to participate in this study is up to 14 weeks. Participants made 9 visits to the clinic and contacted by telephone 14 days after last dose of study drug for a follow-up assessment.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antihypertensive effect of azilsartan medoxomil compared with valsartan in Chinese participants with essential hypertension.