By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo

TheMediTary.Com

Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com

  • Home
  • News
  • Drugs
  • Drugs A-Z
  • Medical Answers
  • About Us
  • Contact
Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo
Search Drugs
  • Drugs
    • Latest Drugs
    • Drugs A-Z
    • Medical Answers
  • News
    • FDA Alerts
    • Medical News
    • Health
    • Consumer Updates
    • Children's Health
  • More TheMediTary.Com
    • About Us
    • Contact
Follow US
Home > Drugs > Angiotensin receptor blockers > Atacand
Angiotensin receptor blockers

Atacand

https://themeditary.com/drug/atacand-919.html
Medically Reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm TheMediTary.Com | Reviewed: Jul 12, 2023  Additional Content by TheMediTary.Com

Generic name: candesartan [ kan-de-sar-tan ]

Drug class: Angiotensin receptor blockers

Dosage form: tablet

Availability: Prescription only

Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data available

Brand names: Candesartan

Contents
Uses Warnings Before Taking Dosage Side effects Interactions
  • Atacand (Candesartan [ kan-de-sar-tan ])-A CH 016-16 mg-Pink-Round Atacand 16 mg (A CH 016)
  • Atacand (Candesartan [ kan-de-sar-tan ])-A CF 004-4 mg-White-Round Atacand 4 mg (A CF 004)
  • Atacand (Candesartan [ kan-de-sar-tan ])-A CG 008-8 mg-Pink-Round Atacand 8 mg (A CG 008)
  • Atacand (Candesartan [ kan-de-sar-tan ])-A CL 032-32 mg-Pink-Round Atacand 32 mg (A CL 032)
  • View all images

What is Atacand?

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.

Warnings

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).

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Atacand if you are allergic to candesartan.

If you have diabetes, do not take Atacand with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

You may also need to avoid taking Atacand with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

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.

Do not use Atacand if you are pregnant. Stop using the medicine 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.

If you plan to get pregnant, ask your doctor for a safer medicine to use before and during pregnancy. Having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications in the mother and the baby.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Atacand pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

How should I take Atacand

Take Atacand exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

You may take Atacand with or without food.

For a child who cannot swallow an Atacand tablet whole, a pharmacist can mix the medicine into a liquid.

Shake the liquid before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Candesartan doses are based on weight in children and/or teenagers. Your child's dose needs may change if the child gains or loses weight.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your kidney function may also need to be checked.

Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking Atacand.

It may take 2 to 4 weeks before your blood pressure is under control. Keep using Atacand as directed, 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. Treatment may also include diet, exercise, lowering cholesterol, not smoking, and controlling diabetes.

If you need surgery, tell your surgeon you currently use Atacand. You may need to stop for a short time.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 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

Comments:
-Consider administration of a lower initial dose in volume depleted patients.
-Most of the antihypertensive effect is present within 2 weeks; maximum blood pressure reduction at a given dose is generally observed within 4 to 6 weeks of starting that dose.

Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure:

Initial dose: 4 mg orally once a day; double dose every 2 weeks, as tolerated, to target dose of 32 mg orally once a day

Use: Treatment of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II through IV heart failure

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension:

1 TO LESS THAN 6 YEARS:
Initial dose: 0.2 mg/kg/day orally in 1 to 2 divided doses
Maintenance dose: 0.05 to 0.4 mg/kg/day orally in 1 to 2 divided doses

6 TO LESS THAN 17 YEARS:
Less than 50 kg:
-Initial dose: 4 to 8 mg/day orally in 1 to 2 divided doses
-Maintenance dose: 2 to 16 mg/day orally in 1 to 2 divided doses
Greater than 50 kg:
-Initial dose: 8 to 16 mg/day orally in 1 to 2 divided doses
-Maintenance dose: 4 to 32 mg/day orally in 1 to 2 divided doses

Comments:
-For patients with possible intravascular volume depletion (e.g., patients treated with diuretics, especially those with renal impairment), initiate this drug under close supervision and consider administration of a lower dose.
-Antihypertensive effect is present within 2 weeks; maximum blood pressure reduction at a given dose is generally observed within 4 weeks of starting that dose.
-For children unable to swallow tablets, an extemporaneously compounded suspension may be used instead.

Detailed Atacand dosage information
Atacand Dosage information (more detail)

Before Taking

You should not use Atacand if you are allergic to candesartan.

If you have diabetes, do not take Atacand with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

You may also need to avoid taking Atacand with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

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.

Do not use Atacand if you are pregnant. Stop using the medicine 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.

If you plan to get pregnant, ask your doctor for a safer medicine to use before and during pregnancy. Having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications in the mother and the baby.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Atacand pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

Related/similar drugs

amlodipine, lisinopril, metoprolol, losartan, furosemide, carvedilol, hydrochlorothiazide

What happens if I miss a 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.

What happens if I overdose?

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

Overdose symptoms may include dizziness, fast heartbeats, or fainting.

What should I avoid while using Atacand?

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

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Atacand side effects

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.

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.

See more: Atacand Side Effects

What other drugs will affect Atacand?

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.

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 drug interactions are listed here.

More about Atacand (Candesartan [ kan-de-sar-tan ])

Dosage information
Atacand Side Effects
During pregnancy
Atacand Prescribing Information
Drug images
Side effects
Drug class: Angiotensin receptor blockers

Related treatment guides

High Blood Pressure
Heart Failure
Share this Article
Contents
Uses Warnings Before Taking Dosage Side effects Interactions
Related Drugs
Fidanacogene Elaparvovec
Cerave Anti-Itch
Centrum Adult
Crovalimab
Cyltezo Prefilled Syringe
Zepbound Pen
Mylanta One
Uretron Ds
Medihoney Wound And Burn Dressing
Lidotrode

Other drugs

Name Drug Class Updated
Fidanacogene Elaparvovec Drugs 03-Oct-2024
Cerave Anti-Itch Drugs 02-Oct-2024
Centrum Adult Drugs 02-Oct-2024
Crovalimab Drugs 02-Oct-2024
Cyltezo Prefilled Syringe Drugs 01-Oct-2024
Zepbound Pen Drugs 30-Sep-2024
Mylanta One Drugs 27-Sep-2024
Uretron Ds Drugs 27-Sep-2024
Medihoney Wound And Burn Dressing Drugs 26-Sep-2024
Lidotrode Drugs 26-Sep-2024
Libervant Drugs 26-Sep-2024
Moderna Covid-19 Drugs 25-Sep-2024
Beqvez Drugs 24-Sep-2024
Beqvez Drugs 24-Sep-2024
Beqvez Drugs 24-Sep-2024

Categories

  • FDA Alerts
  • Medical News
  • Health
  • Consumer Updates
  • Children's Health

About US

Welcome to TheMediTary.Com

Our website provides reliable and up-to-date information on various medical topics. We empower individuals to take charge of their health by simplifying complex medical jargon and providing practical tips and advice. We prioritize the privacy and confidentiality of our users and welcome feedback to improve our services.

Website use data of FDA and other sources

DMCA.com Protection Status Truste Protection Status Trust Mark Protection Status
HONcode logo We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.
Quick Link
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • DMCA
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Sitemap
  • Care Notes
  • Health Guide
  • Professional
Drugs
  • New Drugs
  • Medical Answers
  • Drugs A-Z
  • Drug Classes
  • Drug Dosage
  • Pill Identifier
  • Consumer Infor
  • Side Effects
  • Inactive Ingredients
  • Pregnancy Warnings
  • Patient Tips
  • Treatments
News
  • Latest News
  • FDA Alerts
  • Medical News
  • Health
  • Consumer Updates
  • Children's Health
Find US
  • Medium
  • Google Site
  • Blogspot
  • API
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Scoop.it
  • Substack
  • Wordpress
  • Wix
  • Behance

© 2025 TheMediTary.Com All rights reserved. Operated by