Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Candesartan may cause drowsiness or dizziness, affecting your ability to drive or operate machinery. Avoid these and other hazardous tasks until you have determined how this medication affects you.
Kidney problems: Candesartan can cause changes to kidney function that may result in decreased kidney function, kidney failure, or possibly death. Certain people have experienced changes in kidney function (e.g., people with narrowed blood vessels in their kidneys, or those with severe Congestive Heart Failure). The use of diuretics (water pills), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or aliskiren may further increase the risk of kidney problems for people already at risk. If you have reduced kidney function, renal artery stenosis (narrowing of blood vessels in the kidneys), or congestive heart failure, discuss with your doctor how Candesartan may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Candesartan, and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you have reduced kidney function, you may require lower doses of Candesartan.
Candesartan should not be taken by people with severely decreased kidney function.
Liver function: Candesartan is removed from the body by the liver. Rarely, it may cause liver problems. If you have liver disease or decreased liver function, discuss with your doctor how Candesartan may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Candesartan, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.
Low Blood Pressure: Occasionally, a larger-than-expected decrease in blood pressure occurs after taking candesartan. In some cases, this happens after the first dose. It is more likely to occur if you take diuretics or the medication aliskiren, have a reduced salt intake, are on dialysis, or are experiencing diarrhea or vomiting. Blood pressure should be monitored more often in these situations. Those with low blood pressure or those just starting to take Candesartan should move slowly from a reclining to an upright position to reduce the risk of dizziness.
Potassium levels: Candesartan may affect potassium levels in the blood, especially when used for heart failure, or when taken with other medications called ACE inhibitors or diuretics such as Spironolactone. Your doctor will monitor your potassium levels while on Candesartan. Avoid using salt substitutes that contain potassium while you are taking candesartan.
Pregnancy: Candesartan may cause severe harm to a fetus and should not be used during pregnancy. If you discover you are pregnant while taking Candesartan, stop taking it and tell your doctor at once.
Women taking candesartan who are planning or trying to become pregnant should discuss other, more appropriate medications to control blood pressure with their doctor.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if candesartan passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Candesartan, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Candesartan have not been established for the treatment of hypertension in children less than 6 years of age and for the treatment of heart failure in children less than 18 years of age.
