Candesartan

Generic Name: candesartan (kan de SAR tan)

Brand Names: Atacand

What is candesartan?

Candesartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Candesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications.

Candesartan is also used to treat kidney problems caused by type 2 diabetes.

Candesartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about candesartan?

Do not use candesartan if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Candesartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking candesartan. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to candesartan. Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of candesartan.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking candesartan, unless your doctor has told you to.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

In rare cases, candesartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking candesartan?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to candesartan.

To make sure you can safely take candesartan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease;


• liver disease;


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  congestive heart failure;

  
  


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  an electrolyte imbalance; or

  
  


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  if you are dehydrated.

  
  

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use candesartan if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Candesartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking candesartan.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

It is not known whether candesartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take candesartan?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

You may take candesartan with or without food.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Visit your doctor regularly.

It may take 2 to 4 weeks of using this medicine before your blood pressure is under control. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks of treatment.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using candesartan. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Candesartan dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include fast or slow heartbeat, dizziness, or feeling like you might pass out.

What should I avoid while taking candesartan?

Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of candesartan. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking candesartan, unless your doctor has told you to. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Candesartan side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. In rare cases, candesartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark colored urine. Call your doctor at once if you have any other serious side effect, such as:

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  feeling like you might pass out;

  
  


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  chest pain;

  
  


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  swelling in your hands or feet; or

  
  


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  slow heart rate, weak pulse, tingly feeling.

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough;

  
  


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  back pain;

  
  


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  joint pain;

  
  


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  stomach pain, diarrhea;

  
  


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  headache, dizziness; or

  
  


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  tired feeling.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Candesartan Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 16 mg orally once a day.
Maintenance dose: Daily ranges of 8 to 32 mg administered once or twice daily.

Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure:

Initial dose: 4 mg orally once daily. The target dose is 32 mg once daily, achieved by doubling the dose at approximately two-week intervals, as tolerated by the patient.

What other drugs will affect candesartan?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

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  a diuretic (water pill);

  
  


• 
  

  lithium (Eskalith, LithoBid, Lithonate); or

  
  


• 
  

  an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others.

  
  

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with candesartan. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More candesartan resources

• Candesartan Side Effects (in more detail)
• Candesartan Dosage
• Candesartan Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Candesartan Drug Interactions
• Candesartan Support Group
• 6 Reviews for Candesartan - Add your own review/rating

• candesartan Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Candesartan MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Atacand Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Atacand Consumer Overview


• Atacand Monograph (AHFS DI)

Compare candesartan with other medications

• Heart Failure
• High Blood Pressure

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about candesartan.

See also: candesartan side effects (in more detail)