Candesartan

GENERIC NAME: candesartan cilexetil

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM
Candesartan cilexetil (candesartan) is in a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers which includes losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), and irbesartan (Avapro). Like these other drugs, candesartan blocks the ability of the chemical angiotensin II to raise the blood pressure by constricting or squeezing arteries and veins. This leads to a reduction in blood pressure. In addition, by reducing the pressure against which the heart must pump blood, candesartan reduces the work of the heart and is useful in patients with heart failure. The effects of angiotensin II also can be blocked by another class of drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors which prevent the formation of angiotensin II. ACE inhibitors include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), benazepril (Lotensin), and lisinopril (Zestril).) Candesartan was approved by the FDA in 1998.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: no

PRESCRIPTION: yes

PREPARATIONS: Tablets, 4, 8, 16, and 32 mg.

PRESCRIBED FOR
Candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure where it may be used alone or in combination with other drugs. It has less of an effect in black patients, as do ACE inhibitors. Candesartan also is approved for the treatment of patients with heart failure in whom it reduces the chances of death or hospitalization due to heart failure. Blockers appear to be approximately as effective as ACE inhibitors, and the effects of candesartan add to the effects of ACE inhibitors when they are used together.

DOSING
Candesartan usually is taken once daily.

DRUG INTERACTIONS
No important drug interactions have been described with candesartan. Since ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers both can increase the concentrations of potassium in the blood, other medications that can increase the concentration of potassium in the blood, such as hydrodiuril (Dyazide), spironolactone (Aldactone), and potassium supplements, should be used cautiously with candesartan.

USES
Candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. This drug works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Candesartan belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers.This medication is also used to treat congestive heart failure.OTHER This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.This drug may also be used to help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes.

HOW TO USE
Take this medication by mouth, usually once or twice daily or as directed by your doctor. You may take this drug with or without food. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day.Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first. This medicine can raise your potassium levels, which can rarely cause serious side effects such as muscle weakness or very slow heartbeat. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these effects occur.The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take 4 to 6 weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug.It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.Inform your doctor if your condition worsens (e.g., your routine blood pressure readings increase).

SIDE EFFECTS
See also How to Use section.You may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, and blurred vision as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, decreased sexual ability.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: change in the amount of urine, stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, unusual tiredness, muscle pain.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS
Before taking candesartan, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to ACE inhibitors (e.g., captopril, lisinopril); or if you have any other allergies.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, high blood levels of potassium, severe dehydration (and loss of minerals such as sodium).This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.The elderly, especially those with heart failure, may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially dizziness, an increase in potassium blood level, and kidney effects.This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to the risk for harm to an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details. (See also Warning section.)It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended due to the potential harm to the nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS
See also How to Use section.Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: lithium, potassium-sparing "water pills" (diuretics such as amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene).Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen for pain/fever reduction) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day), should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

OVERDOSE
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include unusually fast or slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting.

MISSED DOSE
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE
Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

WARNING: This drug can cause serious (possibly fatal) harm to an unborn baby if used during pregnancy. Therefore, it is important to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control while taking this medication. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately.

Note : This product information is intended only for residents of the India. Taj Pharmaceuticals Limited, medicines help to treat and prevent a range of conditions—from the most common to the most challenging—for people around the world.