What is this medication for?
Candesartan belongs to a family of medications known as angiotensin II receptor
blockers. Candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure and heart
failure. Candesartan works by relaxing blood vessels.
For high blood pressure, candesartan takes about 2 weeks to begin to work,
and about 4 to 6 weeks to reach its full effect.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those
listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all
of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor
or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do
not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms
as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their
doctor has not prescribed it. Do not stop taking this medication without
consulting your doctor.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Atacand® is available as:
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
For high blood pressure, the usual recommended starting dose of candesartan
is 16 mg once daily. Lower doses may be used if you are taking other blood
pressure medications or are dehydrated. The usual daily dose needed to control
high blood pressure ranges from 8 mg to 32 mg taken in one or two
divided doses.
For heart failure, the recommended starting dose of candesartan is 4 mg
once daily, gradually increasing the dose every two weeks until a target dose
of 32 mg once daily is reached.
Candesartan can be taken with or without food. It is important to follow your
doctor's instructions regarding monitoring your blood pressure to ensure that
you receive the maximum benefit from the medication.
Store this medication at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.
If you forget to take a dose of candesartan, but remember within 12 hours,
take it as soon as possible and then go back to your regular dose. If more than
12 hours have passed since your usual dose, skip that dose and carry on as usual
with your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as
body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor
has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change
the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Candesartan should not be taken by anyone who is allergic to candesartan or any of the ingredients of the medication.