Candesartan Side Effects

Serious side effects of Candesartan

Changes in urine color or the amount you produce, yellow skin or eyes, and stomach or abdominal pain can be signs of liver damage that may be serious.
This medication may cause a serious allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, which can cause the throat to swell shut. This reaction if characterized by rash, hives, itchiness, redness, swelling of the face or mouth, and difficulty breathing.
Fetal death has been shown to occur in pregnant patients who take this medication.

Common side effects of Candesartan

Candesartan may cause a considerable decrease in blood pressure known as hypotension, which can result in dizziness or fainting.
Taking this medication can irritate membranes in the nose and cause congestion, sore throat, or other cold-like symptoms.
Candesartan has also been known to cause head and back aches.

Warnings & Recalls for Candesartan

Candesartan Box Warning

Candesartan has received a black box warning by the FDA due to the extreme danger it can cause to a unborn child. This medication should under no circumstance be used by a patients who is pregnant or trying to become pregnant unless they have been prescribed this medication for deliberate abortion. Taking Candesartan while pregnant can result in harm or even death of a fetus.

General Warnings & Precautions for using Candesartan

Patients with a history of liver impairment or who have undergone or are undergoing surgery should use caution while taking this medication. Candesartan should not be used in infant patients younger than 1 year. If you are taking any other medications, tell your doctor before you are prescribed Candesartan. Certain medications, such as those which contain lithium, may interact with the way Candesartan is absorbed by the body, and can result in serious side effects.

Candesartan Treatment and Use

Candesartan is a generic angiotensin II receptor antagonist medication indicated for the treatment of high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. Candesartan can be used either alone or in conjunction with either antihypertensive or ACE inhibitor medications, depending on the condition being treated.

Candesartan also has several off-label uses, including but not limited to the treatment of kidney disease, stroke, and nerve damage caused by diabetes.

How does Candesartan work?

Candesartan prevents the action of certain naturally-produced chemicals that cause blood vessels and the muscles around them to constrict, which in turn increases the pressure within the blood vessels. By interfering with the way this chemical works, Candesartan is able to prevent this contraction, which allows blood vessels to widen and blood pressure to decrease. All of this reduces the strain placed on the heart, enabling smoother blood flow and an easier workload.

Candesartan Dosage

Candesartan is suggested to be taken at the following doses in adult patients who suffer from the listed conditions:

High Blood Pressure

Starting dose of 16 mg daily, either in single or divided doses.
Typically this medication is prescribed in increments between 8 and 32 mg.

Congestive Heart Failure

Starting dose of 4 mg daily, with increments made every 2 weeks until the target dose of 32 mg is reached.

Candesartan may also be used for the treatment of high blood pressure in pediatric patients. Dosing is dependent on the following age ranges:

1 to 6 years old

Dosing may start at 0.2 mg/kg once a day, but can range anywhere from 0.5 to 0.4 mg/kg either in a single or divided dose

6 to 17 years old

Starting dose ranging from 4 to 8 mg taken once a day in either a single or divided dose

Candesartan can be taken with or without food, and may be taken with other medications to ensure effectiveness.

Other Names for Candesartan

Brand name:

Atacand

Generic name:

candesartan