Blood Pressure / Generic Atacand

Atacand is used for:

Treating high blood pressure. It may be used alone or in combination with other medicines. It may also be used to treat heart failure in certain patients and for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Atacand is an angiotensin II receptor blocker. It works by helping to relax blood vessels. This helps to lower blood pressure.

Do NOT use Atacand if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Atacand(candesartan)
• you are pregnant

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Atacand :

Some medical conditions may interact with Atacand. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver or kidney problems
• if you have low blood volume or salt (sodium) levels

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Atacand. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) or lithium because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Atacand
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, captopril) or potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone) because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Atacand may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Atacand :

Use Atacand as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Atacand by mouth with or without food.
• Continue to take Atacand even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Atacand , 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.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Atacand.

Important safety information:

• Atacand may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Atacand with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Your blood pressure should be lower within 2 weeks. It may take 4 to 6 weeks for Atacand to produce its maximum effect.
• 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.
• Lifestyle changes (eg, not smoking, weight loss, exercise, a low-salt diet) may also help to lower blood pressure.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Atacand before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Lab tests, including blood pressure monitoring, may be performed while you use Atacand. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Atacand with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially kidney problems, low blood pressure, or high blood potassium levels.
• Atacand should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not take Atacand after the third month of pregnancy. It may cause injury or death to the fetus. Stop taking Atacand as soon as possible if you become pregnant. It is not known if Atacand is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Atacand.

Possible side effects of Atacand :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; headache; runny nose; sore throat; upper respiratory tract infection.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; decreased urination; fainting; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; irregular heartbeat; muscle pain or tenderness; severe or persistent dizziness; yellowing of the skin or eyes.