What is the most important information I should know about candesartan?
Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using candesartan and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
If you have diabetes, do not use candesartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo).
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) in adults and children who are at least 1 year old. Lowering blood pressure can reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications.
Candesartan is also used in adults with certain types of heart failure, to reduce serious complications or death due to heart damage.
Candesartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking candesartan?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to candesartan.
If you have diabetes, do not use candesartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo).
You may also need to avoid taking candesartan with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
To make sure candesartan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
- congestive heart failure;
- an electrolyte imbalance;
- if you are on a low-salt diet; or
- if you are dehydrated.
Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away. Candesartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.
It is not known whether candesartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
How should I take candesartan?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
You may take candesartan with or without food.
You may have very low blood pressure while taking this medication. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. You may also need frequent blood tests to check your potassium.
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.
Keep using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine 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.
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.
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.
What are the possible side effects of candesartan?
Get emergency medical help if you have 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 unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- fast or slow heartbeats;
-
high potassium --nausea, slow or unusual heart rate, weakness, loss of movement; or
-
kidney problems --little or no urination, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.
Common side effects may include:
- headache, dizziness;
- back pain; or
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
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.
What other drugs will affect candesartan?
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
- other blood pressure medicines;
- a diuretic or "water pill";
- lithium; or
-
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with candesartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about candesartan.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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