Houston Methodist scientists find blood pressure drug could fight MRSA
Updated
Updated · ScienceAlert · May 7
Houston Methodist scientists find blood pressure drug could fight MRSA
5 articles · Updated · ScienceAlert · May 7
In Texas-led lab and mouse studies, candesartan cilexetil damaged MRSA cell membranes, lowering bacterial burden and boosting gentamicin at lower doses.
Researchers said the cheap, widely used hypertension and heart-failure medicine also targeted persistent dormant bacteria, making it a promising candidate for repurposing against hard-to-treat infections.
MRSA causes more than 70,000 severe US infections and 9,000 deaths yearly, while antibiotic-resistant microbes caused 1.27 million deaths globally in 2019; human trials are still needed.
A common blood pressure pill can kill MRSA. How soon could this be a viable treatment for humans?
If a heart drug kills superbugs, what dose is safe for patients but lethal for the infection?
An old drug defeats a superbug. Is this the key to solving the antibiotic crisis without billion-dollar investments?
Candesartan Cilexetil Repurposed as a Potent Membrane-Disrupting Agent Against MRSA and Resistant Biofilms
Overview
In May 2026, Houston Methodist researchers discovered that candesartan cilexetil (CC), a common blood pressure drug, has powerful antibacterial effects against MRSA. CC works by reducing a key fatty acid in the bacterial membrane, causing membrane disruption that kills the bacteria and makes them more vulnerable to antibiotics like gentamicin. This membrane-targeting action also helps CC fight tough bacterial forms like biofilms and persister cells, and it shows promise against other pathogens such as Enterococcus faecalis. Thanks to CC's existing FDA approval, repurposing it for infections could fast-track new treatments within 2–4 years, though higher doses will require careful safety monitoring and further clinical trials.