Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Atacand (Candesartan). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• back or leg pain
• cold symptoms (e.g., nasal or head congestion, ear congestion or pain, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing)
• cough
• Diarrhea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• Fever
• headache
• muscle cramps
• sore throat
• trouble sleeping
• vomiting

Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• chest pain
• confusion
• dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• rash
• signs of clotting problems (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don’t stop bleeding)
• signs of kidney problems (e.g., increased urination at night, decreased urine production, blood in the urine)
• signs of kidney failure (e.g., decreased urine production, swelling, fatigue, abdominal pain)
• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
• signs of pancreatitis (e.g., abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen)
• signs of pneumonia (e.g., fever, chills, shortness of breath, cough)
• signs of too much potassium in the body (e.g., irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, generally feeling unwell)
• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
• signs of Stroke (e.g., sudden or severe headache; sudden loss of coordination; vision changes; sudden slurring of speech; or unexplained weakness, numbness, or pain in arm or leg)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Atacand (Candesartan).

4 mg
Each circular, biconvex, white tablet, marked "A" over "CF" on one side and "004" on the other, contains 4 mg of Atacand (Candesartan) cilexetil. Nonmedicinal ingredients: calcium carboxymethylcellulose, cornstarch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, and polyethylene glycol.

8 mg
Each circular, biconvex, light pink tablet, with a score and marked "A" over "CG" on one side and "008" on the other, contains 8 mg of Atacand (Candesartan) cilexetil. Nonmedicinal ingredients: calcium carboxymethylcellulose, cornstarch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, iron oxide, lactose, magnesium stearate, and polyethylene glycol.

16 mg
Each circular, biconvex, pink tablet, with a score and marked "A" over "CH" on one side and "016" on the other, contains 16 mg of Atacand (Candesartan) cilexetil. Nonmedicinal ingredients: calcium carboxymethylcellulose, cornstarch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, iron oxide, lactose, magnesium stearate, and polyethylene glycol.

32 mg
Each circular, biconvex, pink tablet, with a score and marked "A" over "CL" on one side and "032" on the other, contains 32 mg of Atacand (Candesartan) cilexetil. Nonmedicinal ingredients: calcium carboxymethylcellulose, cornstarch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, iron oxide, lactose, magnesium stearate, and polyethylene glycol.

Do not take Atacand (Candesartan) if you:

• are allergic to Atacand (Candesartan) or any of the ingredients of the medication
• are or planning to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding
• have Diabetes or moderate-to-severe Kidney Disease and are taking the medication Aliskiren
• have galactose intolerance or glucose malabsorption (a rare hereditary disease)

Atacand (Candesartan) should not be used in children less than 1 year of age.

There may be an interaction between Atacand (Candesartan) and any of the following:

• Aldesleukin
• alpha blockers (e.g., Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Tamsulosin)
• alpha agonists (e.g., Clonidine, methyldopa)
• aliskiren
• amifostine
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine)
• angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs; Captopril, Enalapril, Ramipril)
• barbiturates (e.g., secobarbital, Phenobarbital)
• beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Propranolol, Sotalol)
• brimonidine
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• Canagliflozin
• Celecoxib
• ciprofloxacin
• Cyclosporine
• Dipyridamole
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene)
• drospirenone
• Eplerenone
• Guanfacine
• Heparin
• Hepatitis C antiviral combinations (e.g., ombitasvir - paritaprevir - ritonavir - dasabuvir, ombitasvir - paritaprevir - ritonavir)
• Hydralazine
• levodopa
• lithium
• low-molecular-weight heparins (e.g., Dalteparin, Enoxaparin, Tinzaparin)
• Methylphenidate
• Minoxidil
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine)
• nitrates (e.g., Nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; e.g., Naproxen, Ibuprofen)
• other angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs; e.g., Irbesartan, Losartan)
• Pentoxifylline
• phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (e.g., Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil)
• potassium supplements or medications that increase potassium in the blood
• Rituximab
• Ropinirole
• second-generation anti-psychotics (e.g., Clozapine, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Duloxetine, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• sodium phosphates
• tolcapone
• Tolvaptan
• Trimethoprim

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

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: Atacand (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: Atacand (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 Atacand (Candesartan) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Atacand (Candesartan), and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you have reduced kidney function, you may require lower doses of Atacand (Candesartan).

Atacand (Candesartan) should not be taken by people with severely decreased kidney function.

Liver function: Atacand (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 Atacand (Candesartan) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Atacand (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 Atacand (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 Atacand (Candesartan) should move slowly from a reclining to an upright position to reduce the risk of dizziness.

Potassium levels: Atacand (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 Atacand (Candesartan). Avoid using salt substitutes that contain potassium while you are taking Atacand (Candesartan).

Pregnancy: Atacand (Candesartan) may cause severe harm to a fetus and should not be used during pregnancy. If you discover you are pregnant while taking Atacand (Candesartan), stop taking it and tell your doctor at once.

Women taking Atacand (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 Atacand (Candesartan) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Atacand (Candesartan), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Atacand (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.