Atacand

Atacand product description

Drug uses

Atacand medicine is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). Atacand prevents action of oligopeptide hormone angiotensin II, which causes vasoconstriction and increases in blood pressure (BP). Atacand provides an antihypertensive effect and is indicated for treatment of:

• essential hypertension in adults
• hypertension in adults and in children 1 to <18 years of age
• heart failure in adults with left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Decreased BP reduces the risk of cardiovascular events, especially, of heart attack and strokes. The therapeutic dose of the antihypertensive medication is adjusted individually depending on the patient’s health state and achieved therapeutic effect. The recommended initial and maintaining adult dose of Atacand is 8mg once a day. In case of low therapeutic effect, the daily dose is to be increased to 16mg once daily.

A pediatric dosage of Atacand is calculated based on the child’s age. For children aged 1 to 6 years old, the dose range is 0.05 to 0.4 mg/kg per day. The recommended initial dose of Atacand for children aged 6 to 18 years old is 4 to 16mg per day. The dosage regimen for elderly patients does not require to be adjusted.

Missed dose

If the patient has forgotten to take the prescribed dose of the antihypertensive medication, it is recommended to be taken as soon as possible only if the next dose of Atacand should be used in 12 hours.

If it is left less than 12 hours to the next dose of the antihypertensive drug, the patient should not take the missed dose, better skip it, and return to the scheduled dosing. To take 2 doses of Atacand at once is strictly not recommended.

More information

An antihypertensive action of Atacand usually develops within 2 hours after the first dose. The maximum decrease in the BP is achieved within 4 weeks and remains throughout the course of therapy. The bioavailability of the drug is not significantly affected by food.

To treat hypertension, Atacand can be used both in the monotherapy and in combination with other antihypertensive drugs. If Atacand alone fails to control BP, a diuretic is recommended to be added to the treatment.

Storage

Atacand tablets should be stored at temperature under 25°C. To protect Atacand from moisture and light, keep the tablets in a tightly closed container.

Atacand safety information

Warnings

The treatment with Atacand may cause oliguria, azotemia, and hypotension in patients with underlying renal disease or severe congestive heart failure. Coadministration of Atacand and other antihypertensive agents may increase a hypotensive effect. An antihypertensive effect of Atacand can be weakened by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.

Coadministration of aliskiren, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor with Atacand is not recommended in patients with diabetes mellitus and with renal impairment. Atacand is not recommended to be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding because of the high risk of congenital abnormalities for the unborn baby and of damage of the infant’s health.

Disclaimer
Information about Atacand provided "as is" without any express or implied warranty of any kind. This review of Atacand should not be used to substitute the advice of Heart & Vascular specialists. The online pharmacy shall not be liable for any damages whatsoever (without limitation) arising out of the use of or inability to use the information on this antihypertensive drug.

Atacand side effects

Though Atacand is reported to have a low incidence of undesirable effects, sometimes such common adverse reactions as dizziness (less than 0.5%) and headache (a bit more than 0.5%) can be met during the treatment. If Atacand pills are used in high blood pressure, it may lead to syncope, back pain, hypotension, and upper respiratory tract infections, such as rhinitis and pharyngitis.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that children may experience the same adverse reactions of Atacand as adults, except for sinus arrhythmia and renal disease. However, in rare cases, the children are reported to have more severe adverse reactions. Usually adverse reactions, caused by Atacand application, are easily tolerated, and may soon disappear during the treatment.