Candesartan
Also known as: Amias
What it's for
Candesartan lowers blood pressure and treats heart failure. It belongs to the same family as losartan (ARBs). It is an alternative if ACE inhibitors cause a cough.
Comes as: Tablets
How to take it
- Adults: Usually 8mg to 32mg once daily.
- Take at the same time each day.
- You can take it with or without food.
- Your doctor may increase the dose gradually.
Doses here are typical. Always follow the instructions from your prescriber or on the packet — they come first.
Common side effects
- Feeling dizzy, especially when standing up
- Headache
- Back pain
- Raised potassium levels
The leaflet inside the packet lists all known side effects.
Important safety points
- Not suitable during pregnancy
- Avoid potassium supplements and salt substitutes
- May cause dizziness when you first start
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems
Get medical help urgently if…
- You have swelling of your face, lips, or throat
- You have difficulty breathing
- You have severe dizziness or fainting
- You have muscle weakness or irregular heartbeat
Call NHS 111 for urgent advice, or 999 if someone is seriously unwell.
Before you act on anything here
This page is general information, written to help you understand — it is not personal medical advice and it cannot tell you what is right for you. Talk to your own GP, pharmacist or nurse about your own health.
- Need help now but it's not an emergency? Call NHS 111 or use 111.nhs.uk.
- Emergency? Call 999 or go to A&E.