Fig. 1

Study design. ^*Patients taking previous antihypertensive agents were required to participate in a 3-week washout (days − 21 to − 1). ^†If the patient’s previous antihypertensive treatment included amlodipine or chlorthalidone, then the washout was extended to 4 weeks (days − 28 to − 1). ^‡Patients who had not received antihypertensive treatment within 28 days prior to screening entered the run-in period as soon as all inclusion and exclusion criteria, including laboratory results, were verified. AZL-M, azilsartan medoxomil; ET, early termination; N/A, not applicable; QD, once daily