What is Hydrochlorothiazide and candesartan?
A combination medicine of hydrochlorothiazide and candesartan is used to treat hypertension.This medication guide does not list all possible uses of hydrochlorothiazide or candesartan.
Side effects of Hydrochlorothiazide and candesartan
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of lips, face, tongue or throat. Seek medical assistance immediately.In rare cases, candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide can cause a condition that results in skeletal muscle breakdown, leading to renal failure. If you experience unexplained muscular pain, tenderness, or weakness, call your doctor immediately, especially if there is also a fever and unusual tiredness.
Call your doctor immediately if you:
- Eye pain and vision problems
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- Little or no urinating is acceptable.
- Jaundice
- Easy bruising and unusual bleeding
- Signs of electrolyte deficiency include increased thirst or urination; confusion, nausea, or constipation; muscle pain or weakness; and leg cramps or bone pains.
Some of the common side effects associated with hydrochlorothiazide or candesartan include:
- Dizziness;
- Backache
- Cold or flu symptoms
There may be other side effects.For medical advice regarding side effects, call your physician. To report side effects directly to the FDA, call their hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Use this product only if you're not pregnant. Stop taking candesartan or hydrochlorothiazide if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor immediately.Do not take hydrochlorothiazide or candesartan if you have diabetes with any medicine that contains aliskiren.
Before you take this drug
This medicine should not be used if you have an allergy to hydrochlorothiazide or candesartan, or:
- You are unable to urinate
- You are allergic to drugs containing sulfa.
Do not take hydrochlorothiazide or candesartan with aliskiren, a blood pressure medication, if you have diabetes.
If you have kidney problems, you may need to avoid using hydrochlorothiazide or candesartan in conjunction with aliskiren.
Tell your doctor if any of the following apply to you:
- Liver disease
- Congestive heart failure;
- Glaucoma;
- Your blood can either have low or high potassium levels.
- Allergies or asthma
- High cholesterol or triglyceride levels
- Gout;
- Lupus;
- Diabetes
- Penicillin allergy.
You should not take this medicine if you're pregnant. If you are pregnant, stop using the medication and immediately tell your doctor. The medicine may cause harm or death to your unborn child if taken during the second or third trimester.This medicine should not be used while breastfeeding.
How to take candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide?
Read all instructions or guides that accompany your medication and follow their directions exactly.Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose. You must take the medication exactly as prescribed.Take hydrochlorothiazide or candesartan either with food or without.If you experience persistent nausea or diarrhea or are perspiring at a higher rate than normal, call your doctor. This medication can cause you to become dehydrated, leading to low pressure and a serious electrolyte imbalance.You will need to check your blood pressure often. If you've been vomiting or dehydrated, your blood and urine will be tested.Tell your doctor if you plan to undergo surgery or any medical tests that you will be taking hydrochlorothiazide.This medication may take 4 weeks to bring down your blood pressure. Continue to take this medication as prescribed, even if your symptoms are normal. High blood pressure is often asymptomatic. It is possible that you will need to take blood pressure medications for the rest of your life.Store at room temperature, away from heat and moisture. When not in use, keep the bottle tightly shut.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
Candesartan 16 to 32 mg and Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 to 50 mg can be taken orally twice a day in divided doses.
Comments:
Candesartan 16 mg once daily is the recommended dose for patients with normal blood pressure who do not have volume depletion. Doses higher than 32 mg did not seem to lower blood pressure more.
A patient whose blood pressure remains uncontrolled on candesartan 32 mg can expect an incremental effect from candesartan 32 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg.
Candesartan 16 mg-hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg may provide additional blood pressure control; conversely, patients whose blood pressure is already under control with hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg can expect no additional benefit; hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg but is experiencing decreases in serum potassium can expect the same or incremental blood pressure effects from candesartan 16 mg-hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg, and serum potassium may improve.
Within 4 weeks after treatment commencement, the maximum antihypertensive effects can be expected.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately if you suspect poison exposure and seek immediate medical assistance.Overdose symptoms include feeling lightheaded or fainting.
What should be avoided?
You may become dizzy if you rise too quickly from sitting or lying.The use of hydrochlorothiazide can increase your risk of skin cancer. Avoid tanning beds or sunlight. When you're outdoors, wear protective clothing and use sunblock with an SPF of 30 or more. You may be asked to undergo regular skin checks by your doctor.Avoid taking cholestyramine and colestipol within 4 hours of hydrochlorothiazide or candesartan.Alcohol can lower blood pressure further and cause adverse effects.Use potassium supplements and salt substitutes only if your doctor recommends them.
Interaction with other drug
Tell your doctor all of your other medications, including:
- Lithium
- Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and indomethacin are all nsaids.
This list is incomplete. Hydrochlorothiazide, candesartan, and other drugs, such as vitamins and herbs, may interact with each other. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
