How And When To Take Candesartan

NHS medicines information on dosage for candesartan, how to take it and what to do if you miss a dose or take too much.

Always follow your doctor's advice, and the instructions that come with your medicine.

Dosage and strength

The dose of candesartan you take depends on why you need the medicine. Take it as your doctor tells you.

The tablets come in strengths of 2mg, 4mg, 8mg, 16mg and 32mg.

For adults, the usual dose is:

• high blood pressure - 8mg to 32mg once a day
• heart failure - 4mg to 32mg once a day

In people with liver or kidney problems, the dose may be lower.

For children (aged 6 years and over), the usual dose to treat high blood pressure is:

• for children weighing less than 50kg, 4mg to 8mg once a day
• for children weighing 50kg or more, 4mg to 16mg once a day

How to take it

You'll usually take candesartan tablets once a day. You can take your candesartan tablet at any time of day, but try to take it at the same time every day.

You can take candesartan tablets with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water.

Changes to your dose

You will start on a low dose of candesartan. After a few weeks your doctor will check your blood pressure and ask you if you're getting any side effects. You may also have blood tests to check how well your kidneys are working and the amount of potassium in your blood. Your doctor will then decide whether to change your dose of candesartan.

If candesartan does not get your blood pressure down, your doctor may want to increase the dose.

If your blood pressure gets too low or you get side effects, your doctor may want to lower your candesartan dose.

Important

Take candesartan even if you feel well, as you will still be getting the benefits of the medicine.

How long to take it for

Usually, treatment with candesartan is long term, even for the rest of your life.

If you get ill while taking it

If you get severe diarrhoea or vomiting for any reason, contact your doctor or a pharmacist for advice.

They may recommend that you stop taking candesartan until you're better and you're able to eat and drink normally again.

If you forget to take it

If you miss a dose of candesartan, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time.

Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

An overdose of candesartan can cause low blood pressure and dizziness.

The amount of candesartan that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.

Contact 111 for advice now if:

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the candesartan packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine with you.

Go to A&E now if:

If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.