Blood pressure drug withdrawn from UK market

Takeda UK Ltd have made the decision to withdraw their blood pressure medicine, edarbi – otherwise known as azilsartan medoxomil – from the UK market.

The impacted marketing authorisations relate to edarbi 20mg, 40mg, and 80mg tablets. The decision to withdraw the drug's marketing authorisation was taken after the company conducted a portfolio assessment.

In their announcement letter, the company said: ‘As part of Takeda’s commitment to patients, we continuously evaluate our portfolio and operations to ensure we are best positioned to discover and deliver life-transformative therapies that address high unmet medical needs and improve patients’ lives.’

Takeda stated that edarbi will continue to be available in the UK until the end of 2026, and they added that the established therapeutic efficacy and safety of the drug remain unchanged.

Edarbi is one of several options in the angiotensin II receptor blocker therapeutic class approved for treatment of adults with hypertension in the UK.

Takeda is encouraging healthcare providers to engage in discussions with patients who are currently treated with edarbi, to identify and transition them to alternative therapeutic options that suit each patient’s individual needs.

Patients who experience adverse reactions or have any questions about their medication should seek medical attention. Any suspected adverse reactions should also be reported via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

Takeda’s announcement comes as 1.25 mg capsules of the widely prescribed blood pressure medication, ramipril, are being affected by supply issues and other batches – 5 mg and 10 mg capsules – are being recalled.