Candesartan

Candesartan is a medication used to treat high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. It is part of a group of medicines called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). These medicines help your blood vessels relax and widen, which lowers your blood pressure. This makes it easier for your heart to pump blood throughout your body. Candesartan can also be used to treat heart failure, a condition where your heart muscle isn't working properly.

You take it by mouth as a tablet, and it's available in five different doses, to be taken once a day.

If high blood pressure isn't treated, it can increase the risk of health issues like heart attacks, heart disease, strokes, and kidney disease. About one in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure, and since it doesn't usually cause symptoms, you might not realise you have it.

When you measure blood pressure, you'll see two numbers: systolic and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure indicates the force your heart uses to circulate blood. Diastolic pressure shows the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. A reading above 140/90mmHg is regarded as high blood pressure.

Candesartan helps by blocking the receptors that the hormone angiotensin II attaches to. Angiotensin II can tighten blood vessels, leading to increased blood pressure. By blocking this hormone, candesartan relaxes and widens your blood vessels. This helps to lower your blood pressure, making it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body and ensuring that blood and oxygen reach your heart more effectively.

Candesartan is usually prescribed for individuals who have previously tried other blood pressure medications known as ACE inhibitors, such as ramipril and lisinopril, but had to change due to side effects like dry coughs.

Candesartan comes in five different strengths: 2mg, 4mg, 8mg, 16mg, and 32mg of candesartan cilexetil. You'll begin with the lowest dose, and your prescriber might increase it later on.

If you have high blood pressure, your doctor might prescribe between 8mg and 32mg to be taken once daily. For heart failure, the dosage could range from 4mg to 32mg, also taken once a day.

As with all medicines, Candesartan can lead to side effects, though not everyone will experience them. It might lower your white blood cell count, making you more prone to infections and fevers. Other possible side effects include feeling dizzy, getting headaches, and feeling tired. If you have kidney or heart issues, you might notice a rise in potassium levels in your blood, which can cause tiredness, an irregular heartbeat, or a tingling sensation.

There are various medications that can help reduce high blood pressure. Other ARBs, like irbesartan, losartan, valsartan, and olmesartan, have different active ingredients but function in a similar way to Candesartan.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors help lower blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels. You might be familiar with some of these medications, like lisinopril and ramipril.

Calcium channel blockers help to lower blood pressure by widening blood vessels. If you experience too many side effects from them, you might consider using diuretics, also known as water pills. These help reduce blood pressure by removing excess water and salt from your body through urination.

If other treatments haven't worked, you can try beta blockers. They help by slowing down your heart rate and making it beat more regularly.

Candesartan is effective in lowering high blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart failure.

A placebo-controlled study called CHARM discovered a general decrease in deaths related to cardiovascular issues and a 30% reduction in the risk of hospitalisation.

Candesartan has proven to be more effective than other ARBs like losartan and is generally well tolerated.

It's advisable not to take Candesartan if you're beyond the first three months of pregnancy. If you suspect you're pregnant or are planning to be, have a chat with your clinician first.