candesartan
Brand names: Atacand
Candesartan is a medicine that lowers blood pressure. It can also help treat heart failure.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Storage
Store candesartan tablets at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the container tightly closed.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 27,867 FDA adverse event reports.
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
Death-Related Reports
4,308
Hospitalization Reports
17,659
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OFF LABEL USE | 3,515 |
| 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 |
| 9 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 2,384 |
| 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 |
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.
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.
Compare with candesartan →
amiloride
Midamor
Amiloride is a water pill that helps your body hold onto potassium.
Compare with candesartan →
amlodipine
Norvasc
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a drug that lowers blood pressure and treats chest pain.
Compare with candesartan →
amlodipine/benazepril
Lotrel
Lotrel is a combination medicine that contains amlodipine and benazepril.
Compare with candesartan →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
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Common Drug Interactions
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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 27,867 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.
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