ATACAND (CANDESARTAN)

Atacand Description

Atacand or generic Candesartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that is prescribed to treat people with high blood pressure in order to avoid other health risks such as stroke, heart attack, or kidney disease. Being diagnosed as having high blood pressure (hypertension) can come as a surprise to many individuals due to the fact that there are very few symptoms to alert them of any danger. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

Some of those with hypertension may be able to control it through better eating habits, exercising, and quitting smoking. It’s difficult for many to take the time to eat balanced meals when then they are dealing with long work hours, school studies, or raising a family so talk to your doctor about Atacand.

What to Expect from Atacand

When taken as directed, Atacand blocks the action of angiotensin, a natural body chemical that plays a role in your cardiovascular system, including narrowing your blood vessels which results in high blood pressure. This action makes it so it is unable to reach its receptor and contract the smooth muscle cells of your blood vessels.

Angiotensin is also responsible for releasing a hormone that causes an increase in the sodium and fluid in your body that can raise your blood pressure as well. By blocking this action with Atacand, your heart no longer has to work hard to pump blood to other tissues and organs as your vessels and arteries remain dilated to supply blood efficiently.

Conditions Treated by Atacand

Your doctor may also recommend Atacand to treat kidney disease caused by type 2 diabetes. Kidneys contain millions of tiny blood vessels with tinier holes in them that work as filters for removing waste from our blood. The waste is then expelled from your body as urine while protein and red blood cells stay in your blood due to their size.

Having type 2 diabetes can damage this filtering system with greater levels of blood sugar making your kidneys filter too much blood. After many years of being over-worked, these filters begin to leak and useful protein is lost in your urine. In time, your kidneys could fail and you may be faced with dialysis or an organ transplant. This is why it is important that you adjust your lifestyle and start treating and paying attention to your diabetes before causing other heath issues that could become critical.

Before You Take Atacand

Use adequate birth control methods to help avoid an unplanned pregnancy and inform your doctor right away if you believe you are pregnant. Discuss other medical conditions and allergies you have and list any OTC and Rx drugs you take, including herbal remedies and vitamin or dietary supplements. This allows your doctor to determine if Atacand will be safe for you to take.

Atacand Precautions

Until you know how Atacand will affect you, avoid driving or operating a vehicle or machinery. You must not adjust your dose of Atacand or you could run the risk of your blood pressure becoming too low (hypotension), so be aware of any symptoms of vision changes, clammy skin, or nausea.

Possible Side Effects of Atacand

• Headache
• Back pain
• Rash
• Diarrhea