Atacand

Last Reviewed: Nov 13, 2024

Warnings

Atacand Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Atacand can cause or worsen health problems in some people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other medications for high blood pressure or heart failure if you are at an increased risk of adverse reactions from this drug. Some of the risks of taking Atacand include:

RISK DURING PREGNANCY: Atacand can harm the unborn baby if it is taken by a pregnant woman during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. This drug can alter normal renal development (kidney formation) in the developing baby and reduce fetal renal function. This can result in birth defects, including abnormal kidney development, underdeveloped lungs, and skeletal deformities. It can also result in fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, might be pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy in the near future. Stop taking Atacand and call your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while on this medication.
RISK IN INFANTS: Children below 1 year of age should not receive Atacand because their kidneys are still developing.
HYPOTENSION (LOW BLOOD PRESSURE): Patients treated with Atacand (candesartan cilexetil) can develop hypotension (low blood pressure). This risk is especially high in people who have volume and/or salt depletion. Risk factors include dietary salt restriction, diarrhea, vomiting, prolonged use of diuretics (water pills), and dialysis.
Monitor your blood pressure regularly at home, especially during dose escalation. Tell your doctor if you have signs and symptoms of hypotension (low blood pressure) such as lightheadedness or dizziness. Your doctor may reduce your dose of Atacand and diuretics (if you are taking one).
Tell all your healthcare providers you are on Atacand, especially before any major surgery. This drug can cause hypotension during surgery, which can be severe enough to require the use of intravenous fluids and vasopressor drugs.
SEVERE RENAL IMPAIRMENT (KIDNEY PROBLEMS): Your healthcare provider will monitor renal function periodically while you are on Atacand. This drug can cause abnormal renal function (affect how well your kidneys work). It can also cause possible acute renal failure. Risk factors for kidney problems on Atacand include volume depletion (dehydration), compromised renal function (chronic kidney disease), severe heart failure, and bilateral renal artery stenosis (narrowing of the arteries in the kidneys).
Tell your doctor immediately if you develop signs of worsening renal disease such as decreased urination while on Atacand. Your doctor may discontinue treatment if you develop clinically significant renal insufficiency on this drug.
Note: The plasma concentration of Atacand (candesartan) is approximately twice as high in hypertensive patients undergoing hemodialysis. Therefore, in such patients, healthcare providers prescribe the lowest dose that achieves maximal blood pressure reduction and closely monitor blood pressure.
HYPERKALEMIA (HIGH BLOOD POTASSIUM LEVEL): The effects of candesartan (Atacand) on the renin-angiotensin system in the body can cause hyperkalemia (high potassium). Risk factors include taking other drugs that can also increase potassium levels. Tell your doctor if you develop palpitations or an irregular heartbeat. Your doctor will monitor serum potassium levels periodically. Keep all your medical and laboratory appointments while on this medication.

Precautions Before Starting Atacand

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Atacand (candesartan cilexetil), any of the active or inactive ingredients in Atacand formulations, other angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), or any other medications. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible interactions between Atacand and your other medicines.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Atacand may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions such as heart disease, severe or moderate renal impairment (kidney disease), or severe hepatic insufficiency (liver disease).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, plan to get pregnant, or are breast-feeding.

Precautions During Use of Atacand

Keep all your medical and lab appointments while on Atacand. Your doctor will adjust your dose based on your response to the medicine. They will also order certain blood tests periodically to keep an eye on your kidney function and blood potassium levels.

Atacand can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting as side effects, especially when you first start treatment and during dose escalations. Be careful when going from a lying or sitting position to standing. Get out of bed slowly by first resting your feet on the ground for a few minutes. Tell your doctor if you have severe dizziness.

Alcohol can make these side effects worse. Avoid drinking while on Atacand.

Be careful while driving or doing other hazardous activities until you know how the medicine affects you.

Diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, and dehydration can cause low blood pressure with symptoms of lightheadedness and fainting. Call your doctor if you develop volume depletion during treatment with Atacand.

Stop taking Atacand and tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant during treatment with this drug.

Tell all your healthcare providers you are on Atacand, especially before any surgery, including dental procedures.

Atacand Drug Interactions

Concomitant use of certain other medicines can affect how Atacand works. Possible interactions with other medicines can increase the risk of severe adverse events. Your doctor will change your dose, switch you to a different medication, and/or monitor you carefully for side effects if there are known interactions between your medications.

You should not take Atacand (candesartan cilexetil) if you have diabetes mellitus (high blood glucose) and are taking a medication called aliskiren (Tekturna, Tekturna HCT, Tekamlo, in Amturnide).

The following medications can also have drug interactions with Atacand.

Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve)
Potassium supplements
Salt substitutes

The above list may not include all the potential drug interactions of Atacand. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.

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