Prescription medication · Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)
candesartan
Also sold as Atacand. Candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children ages 1 to 17.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 33,477
- FDA reportsModerately reported
- 2
- InteractionsFew interactions
- 94% less
- Generic vs brandHuge savings
- $7.80
- Brand price (NADAC)
What the data shows
candesartan (Atacand) is a prescription Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB), reported at a middle-of-the-pack volume (33,477 FDA reports), whose generic costs a fraction of the brand (about 94% less).
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
candesartan (Atacand) is a prescription Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB). Candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children ages 1 to 17.
Candesartan is a medicine that lowers blood pressure. It can also help treat heart failure.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$7.80/unit
Generic Price
$0.48/unit
Generic Savings
94%
Generic Available
Yes (9 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children ages 1 to 17.
Common side effects
Dizziness, Upper respiratory tract infection, Back pain
Key warnings
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, stop taking this medicine right away.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from candesartan's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
The usual starting dose for adults with high blood pressure is 16 mg once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose between 8 mg and 32 mg daily. Children's doses are based on weight. You can take candesartan with or without food.
This is a plain-language summary of candesartan's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
This is a plain-language summary of candesartan's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
This is a plain-language summary of candesartan's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store candesartan tablets at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the container tightly closed.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 33,477 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for candesartan, by number of reports
- Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath
3,169 reports
- Tiredness
Tiredness
3,158 reports
- Feeling sick to your stomach
Feeling sick to your stomach
2,989 reports
- Loose stools
Loose stools
2,764 reports
- Feeling lightheaded
Feeling lightheaded
2,677 reports
- Pain in your head
Pain in your head
2,506 reports
- Discomfort
Discomfort
2,454 reports
- Throwing up
Throwing up
2,251 reports
- Overall decline in health
Overall decline in health
2,177 reports
- Joint pain
Joint pain
2,146 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for candesartan each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where candesartan sits
candesartan has more FDA adverse-event reports than 66% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is candesartan; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 33,477 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
33,477
Reports Mentioning Death
4,308
12.9% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
17,659
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | DYSPNOEA | 3,169 |
| 3 | FATIGUE | 3,159 |
| 4 | NAUSEA | 2,989 |
| 5 | DIARRHOEA | 2,764 |
| 6 | DIZZINESS | 2,677 |
| 7 | HEADACHE | 2,506 |
| 8 | PAIN | 2,454 |
| 10 | VOMITING | 2,251 |
| 11 | GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION | 2,177 |
| 12 | ARTHRALGIA | 2,146 |
| 13 | ASTHENIA | 1,979 |
| 14 | MALAISE | 1,951 |
| 15 | HYPERTENSION | 1,922 |
| 16 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 1,912 |
| 17 | PNEUMONIA | 1,781 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
7.4 Combination Blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) Dual blockade of the RAS with angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, or aliskiren is associated with increased risks of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and changes in renal function (including acute renal failure) compared to monotherapy. Do not co-administer aliskiren with candesartan cilexetil in patients with diabetes. Avoid use of aliskiren with candesartan cilexetil in patients with renal impairment (GFR <60 ml/min) [see Contraindications (4)].
Mechanism: Both drugs work on the same system to lower blood pressure, which can lead to severe kidney problems and high potassium levels. This double-blocking effect makes side effects much more likely than taking just one drug.
What to do: Avoid this combination, especially if you have diabetes or kidney issues. Your doctor should monitor your kidney function and blood pressure closely.
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.
Mechanism: Candesartan can make it harder for your body to get rid of lithium, which can cause the drug to reach toxic levels.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your lithium blood levels regularly to ensure they stay in a safe range.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
Can I take candesartan if I have diabetes?
Can I take candesartan if I have kidney problems?
Can I take candesartan with other blood pressure medicines?
How long does it take for candesartan to work?
Can I drink alcohol while taking candesartan?
What should I do if I feel dizzy after taking candesartan?
Can candesartan cause any changes in my potassium levels?
Can I take NSAIDs like ibuprofen with candesartan?
Is there a generic version of candesartan?
What should I tell my doctor before starting candesartan?
What are the common side effects of candesartan?
Does candesartan interact with other medications?
What drug class is candesartan?
Is there a generic version of candesartan?
Is candesartan safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)
Other drugs grouped near candesartan - same-class peers and common alternatives.
acebutolol
Sectral
Acebutolol is a medicine that helps lower blood pressure and control irregular heartbeats.
Compare with candesartan →
aliskiren
Tekturna
Tekturna is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure.
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amiloride
Midamor
Amiloride is a water pill that helps your body hold onto potassium.
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amlodipine
Norvasc
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a drug that lowers blood pressure and treats chest pain.
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amlodipine/benazepril
Lotrel
Lotrel is a combination medicine that contains amlodipine and benazepril.
Compare with candesartan →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for candesartan
The FDA label for candesartan (sold under brand names such as Atacand) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) class. Candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children ages 1 to 17. Official labeling lists 5 commonly reported side effects, including Dizziness, Upper respiratory tract infection, Back pain.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 33,477 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.48 versus $7.80 for the brand - a 94% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: October 4, 2021
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages