Atacand HCT

Generic name: Hydrochlorothiazide And Candesartan
Drug class: Angiotensin II inhibitors with thiazides

Usage of Atacand HCT

Atacand HCT is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Atacand HCT may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Atacand HCT side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, Atacand HCT can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

eye pain, vision problems;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

little or no urinating;

jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

easy bruising, unusual bleeding; or

signs of an electrolyte imbalance--increased thirst or urination, confusion, vomiting, constipation, muscle pain or weakness, leg cramps, bone pain, lack of energy, irregular heartbeats, tingly feeling.

Common side effects of Atacand HCT may include:

dizziness;

back pain; or

cold or flu symptoms.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Atacand HCT

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to candesartan or hydrochlorothiazide, or if:

you are unable to urinate; or

you are allergic to sulfa drugs.

If you have diabetes, do not use Atacand HCT together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

You may also need to avoid taking Atacand HCT with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

liver disease;

congestive heart failure;

glaucoma;

low or high levels of potassium in your blood;

asthma or allergies;

high cholesterol or triglyceride levels;

gout;

lupus;

diabetes; or

an allergy to penicillin.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. This medicine can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Relate drugs

How to use Atacand HCT

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take Atacand HCT with or without food.

Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medication, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your blood and urine may also be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Atacand HCT.

It may take up to 4 weeks for this medication to control your blood pressure. Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Warnings

Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking Atacand HCT and tell your doctor right away.

If you have diabetes, do not use Atacand HCT together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

What other drugs will affect Atacand HCT

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

lithium; or

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Atacand HCT, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.