Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Atacand.
Chemical Name: CANDESARTAN (KAN-de-SAR-tan)
Atacand 8mg is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used for treating high blood pressure alone or with other medicines. It is used in certain patients to treat heart failure. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: Atacand 8mg may cause injury or death to the fetus if taken after the third month of pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Atacand 8mg. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, triamterene), ACE inhibitors (eg, lisinopril), potassium supplements, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, celecoxib, ibuprofen, indomethacin), or lithium. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including dehydration or low blood volume; electrolyte problems (eg, high blood potassium levels, low blood sodium levels); low-salt (sodium) diet; allergies; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart problems; blood vessel problems; blood flow problems; liver or kidney problems; diabetes; stroke; or recent heart attack. Tell your doctor if you have a history of angioedema (eg, swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; hoarseness), including angioedema caused by treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (eg, lisinopril). Tell your doctor if you are on dialysis or are scheduled to have major surgery. USE OF ATACAND 8mg IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you are in your second or third trimester of pregnancy. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using Atacand 8mg.
Follow the directions for taking Atacand 8mg provided by your doctor. Take Atacand 8mg by mouth with or without food. STORE ATACAND 8mg at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. TAKE ATACAND 8mg ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE to get the most benefit from it. Taking Atacand 8mg at the same time each day will help you remember to take it. CONTINUE TO TAKE ATACAND 8mg even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF ATACAND 8mg, 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 USE ATACAND 8mg IF you are allergic to any ingredient in Atacand 8mg. LAB TESTS, including blood pressure, blood electrolyte levels, and heart, kidney, or liver function, may be performed while you use Atacand 8mg. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. ATACAND 8mg MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS, LIGHTHEADEDNESS, OR FAINTING; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects. These effects may be worse if you take Atacand 8mg with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Atacand 8mg with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. ATACAND 8mg MAY CAUSE A SERIOUS SIDE EFFECT CALLED ANGIOEDEMA. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness. DEHYDRATION, EXCESSIVE SWEATING, VOMITING, OR DIARRHEA may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE YOU USE a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it. TELL YOUR DOCTOR OR DENTIST THAT YOU TAKE ATACAND 8mg before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. 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. ATACAND 8mg MAY NOT WORK AS WELL IN BLACK PATIENTS. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. 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. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Use Atacand 8mg with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects. FOR WOMEN: Atacand 8mg may cause birth defects or fetal death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Atacand 8mg is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Atacand 8mg.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Atacand 8mg include back pain; dizziness; or upper respiratory tract infection. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience a change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; dark urine; difficulty swallowing; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; muscle pain or cramps; severe or persistent stomach pain (with or without nausea or vomiting); symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, fainting, lightheadedness, severe dizziness); unusual bruising or bleeding; or yellowing of the eyes or skin. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Atacand 8mg 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 hoarseness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. 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
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include dizziness and fast or slow heartbeat.
DO NOT SHARE ATACAND 8mg with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE ATACAND 8mg for other health conditions. KEEP ATACAND 8mg out of reach of children and pets. IF USING ATACAND 8mg FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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