Buy Atacand (Candesartan) from Maple Leaf Medications.

What is Atacand Medication Used For?

This medication is used in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension) and prevention of heart failure.

Atacand generic is known as candesartan cilexetil. Candesartan is what’s known as an angiotensin receptor blocker. This classification refers to medications that inhibit the action of the angiotensin hormone. Angiotensin is responsible for a variety of processes in the body, but one important function it has is to narrow the blood vessels by constricting the smooth muscles in their walls.

The tightening of blood vessels is called vasoconstriction, and it’s a common contributing factor that leads to hypertension. Less space for the blood to move through blood vessels increases the pressure in the vascular system, which can strain the heart and lead to heart failure.

Hypertension can make it hard for tissues in the body to receive proper amounts of oxygen from the vascular system. The movement of blood through blood vessels can become so constricted that they cannot deliver oxygen to the heart and brain, which prevents them from working properly. This is why hypertension can cause stroke and heart failure if left untreated. By relaxing blood vessels, the pressure in the vascular system is decreased, allowing blood to move more freely and deliver oxygen to bodily tissue.

Who Should Not Use This Medication?

You shouldn’t take this medicine if you

• Have a known hypersensitivity to candesartan or any ingredient involved in making Atacand.
• Have experienced an allergic reaction to any angiotensin receptor blocker (this includes irbesartan, valsartan, losartan, and candesartan)
• Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or considering bearing a child in the near future. Taking Atacand during pregnancy is extremely dangerous for an unborn baby and can result in fetal injury or premature death.
• Have a serious hereditary lactose allergy, including galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, and glucose-galactose malabsorption. Lactose is a non-medical ingredient that’s used to make this tablets.

Atacand Side Effects

Report side effects to your doctor if they manifest in a severe or serious manner, or if they do not go away. Side effects may include:

• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Dry mouth
• Muscle cramps/weakness
• Drowsiness
• Insomnia
• Rash
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Cold symptoms
• Pneumonia
• Confusion

Some effects of this drug may be indications that another condition has developed or that there is an underlying condition that has gone untreated. Monitor your health closely, and call your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

Low Blood Pressure

• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Lightheadedness

Increased Potassium Levels

• Irregular heartbeat
• Muscle weakness
• General malaise

Reduced Kidney Function

• Change in urination frequency
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Swelling of extremities
• fatigue

Hematuria

• Blood in urine

Liver Disorder

• Jaundice
• Darkened urine
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite

Rhabdomyolysis

• Unexplainable muscle pain
• Muscle tenderness
• Dark brown urine

Atacand Dosage

Among the strengths available for this medication are:

• Atacand 4 mg tablet
• Atacand 8 mg tablet
• Atacand 16 mg tablet
• Atacand 32 mg tablet

Your Atacand dosage is specific to you and may depend on a variety of factors including which disease is being treated, the presence of other diseases or conditions, other medications currently or recently used age and individual reactions or tolerance to the drug. Always follow your instructions for dosage closely, and contact your doctor if you are confused or have any questions.

Hypertension: the recommended starting dose to treat hypertension is one 16 mg tablet taken daily.

Hypertension (6 to 17 years of age): The starting dose for hypertension in children is one 4 mg tablet taken once per day. The maximum dose of 8 mg per day should NOT be exceeded.

Heart Failure: In most cases, the dose to treat heart failure begins at 4 mg daily. The reaction to this dose will be monitored by your doctor with the intention of gradually increasing the dose every couple of weeks until the target dose of 32 mg per day is reached.

Atacand vs. Atacand HCT

This medication contains candesartan as the medical ingredient. This medication is also available as a combination tablet, called Atacand HCT or Atacand Plus, which uses candesartan alongside hydrochlorothiazide as the active ingredients.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that can help relax blood vessels further. The combination of these two active ingredients improves the effect of candesartan and makes for a stronger, more effective medication. For this reason, Atacand HCT is often used after treatment with this medication has yielded unsatisfactory results. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see which medication is best for you.