Atacand 8 mg

Atacand is in a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Atacand is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications.

Atacand is also used to treat kidney problems caused by type 2 (not insulin-dependent) diabetes. It may also be used to treat heart failure in certain patients.

Atacand is an antihypertension medication and a specific angiotensin II antagonist which contains candesartan cilexetil. The medication is applied in treatment of hypertension, heart failure and impaired left ventricle systolic function.

Dosage and direction:
The initial dosage for congestive heart failure of Atacand is 4mg each day which can be increased up to the maximum dosage of 8mg each day in the patients with mild to moderate congestive heart failure. To treat hypertension the recommended starting dose is 8 mg once daily, it may be increased to 16 mg once daily. Take with or without a meal. Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor as different conditions require correction of the dose.

Precautions:
Inform your doctor before to take Atacand if you have heart failure, renal impairment, renal artery stenosis, aortic or mitral valve stenosis, obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hypertension with intravascular volume depletion, hyperaldosteronism, if you are going to be operated.

Contraindications:
Atacand is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

Possible side effect
The most common side effects reported about Atacand are: anemia, bloody stools, mental confusion, cerebral infraction, fatigue, nausea, renal failure, malaise, dizziness, loss of consciousness, atrial fibrillation, chest pain. Adverse events, especially renal impairment and hyperkalaemia, may increase when Atacand is co-administered with a angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitor).

Drug interaction:
No significant drug interactions have been reported when Atacand was concomitantly used with glyburide, warfarin, nifedipine, digoxin, hydrochlorothiazide, and oral contraceptives in healthy volunteers, or used together with enalapril in patients with heart failure. Interaction with the drugs metabolized by the cytochrome P450 are not expected because Atacand is not significantly metabolized by the cytochrome. Blood levels of lithium may increase when Atacand is co-administered with medication which contain lithium. Concomitant use of Atacand with other medicinal products that affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, or potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium may increase potassium levels.

Missed dose:
Never take a double dose of this medication. If it is almost time of the next dose just skip the missed portion and continue to take the medicine according to the schedule.

Overdose:
Symptoms of overdose include hypotension and dizziness. Seek immediate medical attention if overdose is suspected.