Details

Candesartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Candesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow. Candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications. Candesartan is also used to treat kidney problems caused by type 2 diabetes. To make sure candesartan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease liver disease congestive heart failure an electrolyte imbalance if you are on a low-salt diet or if you are dehydrated.

Typical Uses

Candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Candesartan belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. This medication is also used to treat heart failure. Candesartan is not recommended for use in children younger than 1 year due to increased risk of side effects.

Side Effects

In rare cases, candesartan can cause a condition that result in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Contact your doctor immediately if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark coloured urine. Some of the other side effects of candesartan include a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out chest pain little or no urinating swelling, rapid weight gain or high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling).

Drug Interactions

• Candesartan+aliskiren- Using aliskiren together with candesartan may increase the risk of serious side effects such as kidney problems, low blood pressure, and high potassium levels in the blood. High levels of potassium can develop into a condition known as hypercalcemia, which in severe cases can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.

• Candesartan+benazepril- Using benazepril together with candesartan may increase the risk of side effects such as low blood pressure, kidney function impairment, and a condition called hypercalcemia (high blood potassium). In severe cases, hypercalcemia can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.

• Candesartan+captopril- Using captopril together with candesartan may increase the risk of side effects such as low blood pressure, kidney function impairment, and a condition called hypercalcemia (high blood potassium). In severe cases, hypercalcemia can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.

• Candesartan+fosinopril- Using fosinopril together with candesartan may increase the risk of side effects such as low blood pressure, kidney function impairment, and a condition called hypercalcemia (high blood potassium). In severe cases, hypercalcemia can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.

Mechanism of action

Candesartan belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It acts on the blood vessels by relaxing and widening them, thus lowering the blood pressure. In addition, this also helps the heart to pump blood to other parts of the body easily.

Pregnancy Category : D