Candesartan

Sounds like 'kan-de-sar-tan"

Key points about candesartan

Candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
It also helps protects your kidneys if you have diabetic kidney disease.
Candesartan is also called Candestar®.
Find out how to take it safely and the possible side effects.

Healthcare provider taking blood pressure of a Pasifika male accompanied by young son, in a clinic setting.

Candesartan has many different effects on your body and is used to treat a variety of conditions. It belongs to a group of medicines called angiotensin receptor blockers or ARBs. Candesartan may be used for:

High blood pressure (hypertension) by relaxing your blood vessels and lowering your blood pressure.
Heart failure to help your heart pump blood more easily. This can help to relieve symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling of feet, legs and abdomen. It can also help prevent strokes and heart attacks.
Diabetic kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy) to protect your kidneys and help them function.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, candesartan is only available with a prescription from a prescriber.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, candesartan is available as tablets which come in different strengths: 4 mg, 8 mg, 16 mg and 32 mg.

The dose of candesartan will be different for different people. Your healthcare provider will tell you the dose that's right for you. Your dose of candesartan will depend on what it's being used for.
Your healthcare provider will usually start you on a low dose and increase the dose depending on how you respond. This allows your body to get used to the medicine and reduces side effects.
Always take your candesartan exactly as your healthcare provider has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much candesartan to take, how often to take it and any special instructions.
Candesartan tablets are available in different strengths. If your tablets look different to your last supply talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about it.

Timing: Take candesartan once a day, at about the same time each day. Candesartan is best taken in the morning, with or without food.
Missed dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember that day. But if it's nearly time for your next dose, just take the next dose at the usual time. Don't take double the dose.

Be careful when taking pain relief medicines

Check with your healthcare provider before taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relief medicines (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, while you're taking candesartan. This combination can be very harmful to your kidneys and can cause acute kidney injury. You have a higher risk of harming your kidneys if you're taking water pills (diuretics), are an older adult or are dehydrated. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a safer pain relief option. Read more about NSAIDs and protecting your kidneys.

Examples of NSAIDs

Ibuprofen (Advil, I-Profen, Nurofen)
Diclofenac (Voltaren)
Naproxen (Noflam, Naprosyn)
Mefenamic acid (Ponstan)
Celecoxib (Celebrex)

Have a sick day plan

If you have diarrhoea (runny poo) or vomiting (being sick) from a stomach bug, or you're dehydrated from other causes, it’s important to let your healthcare provider know. They may advise you to stop taking candesartan for a few days and restart when you feel better. This is because candesartan can increase the amount of potassium salts in your blood, particularly if you're dehydrated.

Here are some other things to know when you're taking candesartan. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

Stay hydrated: Make sure you drink enough water. This is especially important during exercise and hot weather, which can increase your risk of dehydration. If you don’t drink enough water you may feel faint, light-headed or sick.
Driving: Candesartan can make you feel tired and dizzy. Be careful when driving or using tools until you know how this medicine affects you
Alcohol: Limit alcohol while taking candesartan. Having the occasional drink while you’re taking candesartan is safe. However, regularly drinking excessive amounts increases your chance of side effects and reduces the effects of candesartan.
Pregnant or planning a pregnancy: Talk to your healthcare provider if you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy. There are other medicines you can use instead.
Breastfeeding: Talk to your healthcare provider if you want to breastfeed your pēpi.
Other medicines: Candesartan can interact with some medicines, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori, so check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting candesartan and before starting any new products.
Keep taking candesartan regularly: Treatment with candesartan is usually long term. You should continue to take it unless you're advised by your healthcare provider to stop. Talk to them before stopping.
Monitoring: You’ll have regular blood tests while you're taking candesartan. These are done to see how well your kidneys are working and to check your sodium and potassium levels.

Like all medicines, candesartan can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.

Side effects	What should I do?
Dizziness Feeling lightheaded Feeling faint when you stand up	This is common when you first start taking candesartan and usually goes away with time. Be careful when getting up from either lying down or sitting to avoid falls. These effects put you at risk of falls and injuries, especially if you're an older adult. Stand up slowly. If you do feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a few moments. Avoid alcohol. Tell your healthcare provider if this continues.
Muscle cramps Muscle weakness	This is less common and may be a sign of rising potassium levels. Tell your healthcare provider – you may need a blood test to check the amount of potassium in your blood.
Signs of problems with your liver such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pain in the abdomen	Liver problems are rare but serious. Tell your healthcare provider immediately or phone Healthline 0800 611 116.
Signs of an allergic reaction such as skin rash, itching, swelling of your lips, face and mouth or difficulty breathing, such as chest tightness or wheezing	This is rare. Stop taking candesartan and phone 111 for an ambulance.