Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Atacand Hct.
Chemical Name: CANDESARTAN (kan-de-SAR-tan) and HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE (hye-droe-klor-oh-THYE-a-zide)
Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist and thiazide diuretic combination used to treat high blood pressure. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg can cause injury or even death to a fetus if used after the third month of pregnancy. Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect that you are pregnant. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg if you are also taking dofetilide or ketanserin. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking diazoxide, digoxin, lithium, diuretics (eg, furosemide), potassium, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, naproxen), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), narcotic pain medicines (eg, morphine), cholestyramine, colestipol, potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone), insulin or other medicines for diabetes (eg, glipizide, metformin), or other medicines for high blood pressure. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including asthma; gout; diabetes; heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure); gallbladder problems; liver disease; lupus; kidney problems (eg, renal artery stenosis); high blood cholesterol or lipid levels; low blood sodium, chloride, potassium, or magnesium levels; low blood volume; high blood calcium levels; dehydration; allergies, including a penicillin antibiotic (eg, amoxicillin); pregnancy or if you are a woman of child-bearing age; or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction (eg, swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; trouble swallowing or breathing; hoarseness) after taking any other angiotensin II receptor blocker or an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (eg, captopril). Tell your doctor if you have recently had a certain type or nerve surgery (sympathectomy) or if you have never taken another medicine for high blood pressure. USE OF ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have severe kidney problems, if you are unable to urinate, or if you are pregnant. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg.
Follow the directions for using Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg provided by your doctor. Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg MAY CAUSE an increase in urine or in frequency of urination. If you are taking 1 dose of Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg daily, take it in the morning after breakfast to prevent this increase from affecting sleep. If you are taking more than 1 dose daily, take the last dose no later than 6 pm, unless directed otherwise by your doctor. If you take colestipol or cholestyramine for high cholesterol, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take it with Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg. DRINKING EXTRA FLUIDS while you are taking Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions. STORE ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. KEEP ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg out of the reach of children and away from pets. CONTINUE TO TAKE ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg if you have had an allergic reaction to it, to any ingredient in this product, or to any other sulfonamide medicine (eg, sulfamethoxazole). An allergic reaction includes a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness. If you have a question about whether you are allergic to Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg or if a certain medicine is a sulfonamide, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including kidney function, blood pressure, and blood electrolytes, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using/taking Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg. ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg MAY AFFECT CERTAIN LAB TEST RESULTS, including parathyroid function tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg. ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS, drowsiness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg. REPORT ANY LIGHTHEADEDNESS OR FAINTING to your doctor immediately. Your risk of lightheadedness or fainting may be increased if you experience diarrhea, vomiting, or excessive sweating, if you do not drink enough fluids, or if you are on a low-salt diet. ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg MAY CAUSE increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period. IF YOU HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may have also prescribed a potassium supplement for you. If so, follow the dosing carefully. DO NOT USE A SALT SUBSTITUTE, change your diet to include more potassium, or take a product that has potassium in it without checking with your doctor. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medicine. FOR WOMEN: ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg MAY CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS, or fetal or newborn death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while you take Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg include back pain, diarrhea, dizziness, or tiredness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg MAY RAISE YOUR BLOOD SUGAR. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away. ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg CONTAINS A SULFONAMIDE CALLED HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE, which can cause certain eye problems (myopia, angle-closure glaucoma). Untreated angle-closure glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. If these eye problems occur, symptoms usually occur within hours to weeks of starting Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as vision changes (eg, decreased vision clearness) or eye pain. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience burning, numbness, or tingling of the skin; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; decrease in sexual ability; decreased, difficult, or painful urination; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; lightheadedness; mental or mood changes (eg, depression); muscle pain, weakness, tenderness, or cramping; numbness of an arm or leg; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; restlessness; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or drowsiness; severe or persistent dry mouth or nausea; severe stomach pain; shortness of breath; sluggishness; swelling of the arms or legs; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual thirst, tiredness, or weakness; vomiting; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Atacand Hct 16-12.5mg is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; or unusual hoarseness. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions for Atacand Hct
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include confusion; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; or severe or unusual dizziness.
PATIENTS WHO TAKE MEDICINE FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms. DO NOT SHARE ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg for other health conditions. IF USING ATACAND HCT 16-12.5mg FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out. CHECK WITH YOUR PHARMACIST about how to dispose of unused medicine.
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