candesartan vs lithium
Side-by-side comparison of candesartan and lithium. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS · Lithium: Increases in serum lithium concentrations and toxicity (7). 7.2 Lithium Increases in serum lithium concentrations and toxicity have been reported during concomitant administration of lithium with angiotensin II receptor antagonists, including candesartan cilexetil. Monitor serum lithium levels.
Recommendation: Your doctor should monitor your lithium blood levels regularly to ensure they stay in a safe range.
Atacand
Lithobid, Eskalith
Candesartan is a medicine that lowers blood pressure. It can also help treat heart failure.
Lithium is a mood stabilizer medicine. It helps to balance mood swings.
Candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children ages 1 to 17. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Candesartan also treats heart failure by reducing the risk of death and hospitalization.
Lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. Lithium helps to control the extreme highs (mania) and lows (depression) of this condition.
Candesartan blocks a substance in your body that tightens blood vessels. This helps blood vessels relax and widens them. As a result, blood pressure is lowered and the heart can pump blood more easily.
Lithium affects the flow of sodium in nerve and muscle cells in the body. This helps to stabilize your mood. It may also affect other chemical messenger systems in the brain.
- • Dizziness
- • Upper respiratory tract infection
- • Back pain
- • Pharyngitis (sore throat)
- • Rhinitis (runny nose)
- • Tremor (shaking)
- • Nausea
- • Increased weight
- • Fatigue (feeling tired)
- • Vomiting
- Shortness of breath 3,169
- Tiredness 3,158
- Feeling sick to your stomach 2,989
- Loose stools 2,764
- Feeling lightheaded 2,677
- Poisoning from different substances 2,179
- The drug is reacting with another medicine 1,526
- Shaking 1,463
- Feeling sick to your stomach 1,344
- Gaining weight 1,153
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, stop taking this medicine right away. Candesartan can harm or cause death to your unborn baby.
Lithium levels in your blood need to be monitored closely by your doctor. Too much lithium can be toxic and cause serious side effects. Make sure to attend all scheduled blood tests.
Candesartan can cause serious harm to an unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medicine.
Lithium can harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Lithium can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking lithium.
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How to Read This candesartan vs lithium Comparison
candesartan is classified in the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) drug class, while lithium sits within the Mood Stabilizer class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, candesartan has 14,757 submissions while lithium has 7,665. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to candesartan can make it harder for your body to get rid of lithium, which can cause the drug to reach toxic levels.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between candesartan and lithium - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.