Atacand

Common use

Atacand is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (sometimes called an ARB). Candesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow. Atacand is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children who are at least 1 year old. Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack. Atacand is also used in adults to treat certain types of heart failure and lower your risk of death or needing to be hospitalized for heart damage.

Dosage and direction

Take Atacand exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You may take Atacand with or without food. Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension: 16 mg orally once a day. Maintenance dose: 8 to 32 mg/day orally in 1 to 2 divided doses. Maximum dose: 32 mg/day.

Precautions

To make sure Atacand is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: a heart condition other than one being treated with Atacand; kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); liver disease; or if you are on a low-salt diet.

Contraindications

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using Atacand and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
If you have diabetes, do not take Atacand with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).
You should not use Atacand if you are allergic to candesartan.
You may also need to avoid taking Atacand with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Atacand: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have: a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; little or no urination; or high potassium level - nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement.
Common Atacand side effects may include: high potassium; headache, back pain; cold symptoms such as stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat; dizziness; or abnormal kidney test.

Drug interaction

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes, unless your doctor has told you to.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially: any other heart or blood pressure medications; a diuretic or "water pill"; lithium; or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

Missed dose

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention. Overdose symptoms may include dizziness, fast heartbeats, or fainting.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep away from children and pets.