Atacand : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More
IMPORTANT WARNING:
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not take Atacand if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Atacand, stop taking Atacand and call your doctor immediately. Atacand can cause death or serious injury to the fetus when taken in the last 6 months of pregnancy.
Why is this medication prescribed?
Atacand (Candesartan) is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Atacand is also used alone or in combination with other medications to treat congestive heart failure (a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to other parts of the body). Atacand is in a class of medications called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the action of certain natural substances that tighten the blood vessels, allowing the blood to flow more fluidly and the heart to pump more efficiently.
High blood pressure is a common condition, and when left untreated it can damage the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of the body. Damage to these organs can cause heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems. In addition to taking medications, making lifestyle changes will also help control your blood pressure. These changes include eating a diet low in fat and salt, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising for at least 30 minutes most days, not smoking, and consuming alcohol in moderation.
How should this medicine be used?
Atacand (Candesartan) comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day with or without food. To remind you to take Atacand, take it at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any parts you do not understand. Take Atacand exactly as directed. Do not take more or less, or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will likely prescribe a low dose of Atacand and gradually increase it no more than once every 2 weeks.
Atacand controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Your blood pressure may drop during the first 2 weeks of your treatment, but it may take 4 to 6 weeks for you to notice the full benefit of Atacand. Keep taking Atacand even if you feel fine. Do not stop taking Atacand without consulting your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine
Atacand is also sometimes used to treat diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease in people with diabetes and high blood pressure). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this drug for your condition.
This medicine may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking Atacand,
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Atacand, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Atacand tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- Tell your doctor if you have diabetes (high blood sugar) and are taking aliskiren (Tekturna, in Amturnide, Tekamlo, Tekturna HCT). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take Atacand if you have diabetes and are also taking aliskiren.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril (Capoten, in Capozide), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril, lisinopril (in Prinzide, in Zestoretic) , moexipril (Univasc, in Uniretic), perindopril, (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril, in Accuretic, in Quinaretic), ramipril (Altace) and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diuretics (‘water pills’) including spironolactone (Aldactone, in Aldactazide); lithium (Lithobid); medications for diabetes; other medications for high blood pressure; and potassium supplements. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you closely for side effects.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, kidney, or liver disease.
- Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
- If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Atacand.
- You should know that Atacand can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from lying down. This is more common when you first start taking Atacand. To help avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
- You should know that diarrhea, vomiting, not drinking enough fluids, and sweating a lot can lead to a drop in blood pressure, which can lead to dizziness and fainting. Tell your doctor if you have any of these problems or develop them during your treatment.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Do not use salt substitutes that contain potassium without consulting your doctor. If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these instructions carefully.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you forgot.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Atacand may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- back pain
- sore throat
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- decreased urination
Atacand may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medicine.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit a report online to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Unnecessary medications must be disposed of in special ways to ensure they cannot be consumed by pets, children, and others. However, you should not flush this medicine down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medications is through a drug take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage / recycling department to find out about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA Safe Drug Disposal website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
It is important to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children, since many containers (such as those containing weekly pills and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not resistant to children and small children can easily open them. To protect young children from poisoning, always close the safety caps and immediately place the medicine in a safe place, one that is upright and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim collapsed, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or is unable to wake up, immediately call 911 for emergency services.
Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
- dizziness
- fainting
- fast or slow heart beat
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. You should monitor your blood pressure regularly to determine your response to Atacand.
Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you go into hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.
Brand Names
- Atacand®
Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.