Candesartan (Systemic)

Brand Names : Atacand

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For candesartan, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to candesartan. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Use of candesartan during pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters (after the first 3 months) can cause low blood pressure, severe kidney failure, or possibly death in the newborn. Therefore, it is important that you check with your doctor immediately if you think that you may have become pregnant. Be sure that you have discussed this with your doctor before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether candesartan passes into breast milk. However, candesartan passes into the milk of lactating rats. Because this medicine may cause serious side effects, breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are taking it.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of candesartan in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - This medicine has been tested in patients 65 years of age or older and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults. However, blood levels of candesartan are increased in the elderly.

Racial differences - Black patients may have a smaller response to the blood pressure-lowering effects of candesartan.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. It is important that your health care professional know if you are taking any other medicines.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of candesartan. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Congestive heart failure (severe) - Lowering of blood pressure by candesartan may make this condition worse

• Dehydration (fluid and electrolyte loss due to excessive perspiration, vomiting, diarrhea, prolonged diuretic therapy, dialysis, or dietary salt restriction) - Blood pressure-lowering effects of candesartan may be increased.

• Kidney disease - Effects of candesartan may make this condition worse.

• Liver disease, severe or moderate - For severe liver disease, effects of candesartan are unknown. For moderate liver disease, your doctor may need to lower your starting dose of candesartan