Atacand contains the medicine candesartan cilexetil and is one of a type of medicines for high blood pressure (hypertension).
Atacand lowers elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure levels can cause you to have a stroke, get heart failure, or damage your kidneys. Atacand helps prevent these things from happening.
Atacand may be prescribed alone or with other blood pressure medications.

Atacand contains the active ingredient candesartan cilexetil, which is a type of medicine called an angiotensin II antagonist. Atacand works by preventing the action of a hormone in the body called angiotensin II.

Angiotensin II normally acts on special receptors in the body, with two main results. Firstly, it causes the peripheral blood vessels to narrow, and secondly, it stimulates the production of another hormone called aldosterone.

Aldosterone causes salt and water to be retained by the kidneys, which increases the volume of fluid in

Take Atacand tablets by mouth. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Atacand can be taken with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take Atacand more often than directed. Do not stop taking Atacand except on your prescriber advice.

Adults
Atacand can be taken once or twice a day in doses totaling 8 to 32 milligrams per day. However, the recommended starting dose is 16 milligrams taken once daily. If you are taking a diuretic or if you have kidney problems, your doctor

If Atacand is taken with other medicines that decrease blood pressure, the blood pressure lowering effect may be enhanced.

If Atacand is taken with any of the following, there may be an increase in the amount of potassium in the blood (hyperkalaemia):

• potassium-sparing diuretics, eg spironolactone
• potassium supplements
• potassium containing salt substitutes
• other medicines that may increase potassium levels, eg heparin.
  Monitoring of the blood potassium level may be required if these
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Most Important Fact about Atacand
Atacand should be taken regularly for it to be effective. Since blood pressure declines gradually, it may be a couple of weeks before you get significant benefits from Atacand, and you must continue taking it even though you feel well. Atacand does not cure high blood pressure; Atacand merely keeps it under control.

Atacand precautions if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Atacand has been found to cause injury or even

More common side effects of Atacand may include:

• back pain,
• dizziness,
• respiratory tract infection

Less common side effects of Atacand may include:

• abdominal pain,
• bronchitis,
• chest pain,
• cough,
• diarrhea,
• fatigue,
• headache,
• joint pain,
• nausea,
• runny nose,
• sinus inflammation,
• sore throat,
• swelling,
• vomiting
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