Brand Name

Atacand {AstraZeneca}

Generic Name

candesartan, pronounced kan de SAR tan

---

Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Atacand?

Atacand is a medication to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure in adults. You may beprescribed Atacand to help keep your blood vessels from narrowing, which helps to lower yourblood pressure and improve your blood flow. Atacand may be used to treat kidney problems inpeople with type 2 diabetes.

Atacand may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Atacand

Atacand is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, which means that it helps your blood vesselsfrom narrowing, which lowers your blood pressure and improves your blood flow. You may beprescribed Atacand alongside other blood pressure medications.

Atacand is in FDA pregnancy category D. You should not use Atacand if you are pregnant. If youbecome pregnant while taking Atacand you should stop taking this medication and contact yourdoctor right away. Atacand may cause injury or death to an unborn baby if taken during yoursecond or third trimester. You should be sure to use effective birth control while takingAtacand. You should not breast-feed while taking Atacand, as it is not known if Atacand passesinto breast milk.

While you are taking Atacand you should not drink alcohol. Because drinking alcohol canfurther lower your blood pressure, you may experience an increase in certain side effects ofAtacand if you drink while on this medication.

Unless your doctor has advised you to do so, you should not use potassium supplements or saltsubstitutes while you are taking Atacand

Continue to use Atacand as your doctor has directed, and be sure to get your blood pressurechecked regularly.

Tell your doctor right away if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweatingmore than usual while you are taking Atacand. It is easy to become dehydrated while takingAtacand, which can lead to extremely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.

Your blood pressure may take 2 to 4 weeks of regular use of Atacand before it is completelyunder control. You should continue using this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor . Tellyour doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks of treatment.

Before You Take Atacand

If you are allergic to candesartan you should not take Atacand.

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding you should not takeAtacand.

You should inform your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or congestive heartfailure before taking Atacand.

If you suffer from dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance you should tell your doctor beforestarting treatment with Atacand.

Atacand can cause a condition which results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue and maylead to kidney failure. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience muscle pain,tenderness, weakness, along with a fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark colored urine.

Let your doctor know if you drink 2 or more alcoholic beverages daily. Alcohol can increasethe risk of serious side effects if you are taking Atacand.

Until you know how you will react to Atacand you should avoid getting up too fast from a lyingor sitting position, as you may experience dizziness. Be sure to get up slowly and steadyyourself to prevent a fall, especially when you first begin your treatment with Atacand.

You need to be aware that certain conditions can cause low blood pressure, and make theeffects of Atacand more pronounced for you. Tell your doctor right away if you experiencediarrhea, heart disease, intense sweating, vomiting, dialysis, or if you are on a low salt dietor taking diuretics (water pills).

Atacand Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• celecoxib (Celebrex)
• diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze)
• diuretics or water pills
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic)
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate)
• meloxicam (Mobic)
• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Atacand. You should tell yourdoctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins,supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking anew medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Atacand

You should take Atacand exactly as directed by your doctor. It is important that you do nottake Atacand in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow thedirections on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctorinstructs you to change your dose.

Atacand should be taken at the same time every day.

Atacand can be taken with or without food.

You may need to take Atacand on a long-term basis for the treatment of high blood pressure. Itis important that you follow up with your doctor on a regular basis to be sure that Atacand ishelping your condition and not causing you to have any adverse or harmful effects.

Atacand should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Atacand you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as youremember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose isless than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

Atacand Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Atacand and seekemergency medical help immediately.

• allergic reaction including hives, swelling in your face, lips, throat or tongue and troublebreathing
• chest pain
• high potassium symptoms, such as a slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, or a tinglyfeeling
• faint feeling or lightheadedness with pale skin
• muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, along with a fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark coloredurine.
• swelling in your hands and feet

Less serious side effects of Atacand may include:

• back pain
• cold or flu symptoms, such as a stuffy nose, sore throat or cough
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• exhaustion
• headache
• joint pain
• stomach pain

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Atacand. Youshould contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Atacand Description and Dosing

Atacand is available as tablets in dosages of 4 mg, 8 mg, 16 mg and 32 mg. The 4 mg tabletsare white to off-white, circular/biconvex-shaped, non-film-coated, scored tablets and coded ACFon one side and 004 on the other side. The 8 mg tablets are light pink, circular/biconvex-shaped,non-film-coated, scored and coded ACG on one side and 008 on the other side. The 16 mg tabletsare pink, circular/biconvex-shaped, non-film-coated, scored and coded ACH on one side and 016 onthe other side. The 32 mg tablets are pink, circular/biconvex-shaped, non-film-coated, scored andcoded ACL on one side and 032 on the other side.

Consult with your doctor for specific dosing pertaining to you. Do not attempt to alter orchange your dose of Atacand without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Atacand you should seek emergency helpimmediately.

Ingredients in Atacand

Atacand contains candesartan cilexetil as an active ingredient. Inactive ingredients includehydroxypropyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, lactose, corn starch, carboxymethylcellulosecalcium, and magnesium stearate. Ferric oxide (reddish brown) is added to the 8-mg, 16-mg, and32-mg tablets as a colorant.

Back to Top

The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.