Do not take Candesartan HCT +pharma if:
- you are allergic (hypersensitive) to candesartan cilexetil or hydrochlorothiazide or any of the other ingredients of Candesartan HCT +pharma (see section 6).
- you are allergic to sulphonamide medicines. If you are not sure if this applies to you, please ask your doctor.
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- you are more than 3 months pregnant (it is also better to avoid Candesartan HCT +pharma in early pregnancy – see pregnancy section).
- you have severe kidney problems.
- you have severe liver disease or biliary obstruction (a problem with the drainage of bile from the gall bladder).
- you have persistently low levels of potassium in your blood.
- you have persistently high levels of calcium in your blood.
- you have ever had gout.
If you are not sure if any of these apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Candesartan HCT +pharma.
Take special care with Candesartan HCT +pharma
Before you take, or whilst you are taking Candesartan HCT +pharma, tell your doctor if:
- you have diabetes.
- you have heart, liver or kidney problems.
- you have recently had a kidney transplant.
- you are vomiting, have recently had severe vomiting, or have diarrhoea.
- you have a disease of the adrenal gland called Conn’s syndrome (also called primary hyperaldosteronism).
- you have ever had a disease called systemic lupus erythaematosus (SLE)
- you have low blood pressure
- you have ever had a stroke.
- you have ever had allergy or asthma.
- you must tell your doctor if you think you are (or might become) pregnant. Candesartan HCT +pharma is not recommended in early pregnancy, and must not be taken if you are more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used at that stage (see pregnancy section).
Your doctor may want to see you more often and do some tests if you have any of these conditions.
If you are going to have an operation, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Candesartan HCT +pharma. This is because Candesartan HCT +pharma, when combined with some anaesthetics, may cause a drop in blood pressure.
Candesartan HCT +pharma may cause increased sensitivity of the skin to sun.
Use in children
There is no experience with the use of Candesartan HCT +pharma in children (below the age of 18 years). Therefore Candesartan HCT +pharma should not be given to children.
Using other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using or have recently used any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. Candesartan HCT +pharma can affect the way some other medicines work and some medicines can have an effect on Candesartan HCT +pharma. If you are using certain medicines, your doctor may need to do blood tests from time to time.
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In particular, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:
- Other medicines to help lower your blood pressure, including beta-blockers, diazoxide and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as enalapril, captopril, lisinopril or ramipril.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, celecoxib or etoricoxib (medicines to relieve pain and inflammation).
- Acetylsalicylic acid (if you are taking more than 3 g each day) (medicine to relieve pain and inflammation).
- Potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium (medicines that increase the amount of potassium in your blood).
- Calcium or Vitamin D supplements.
- Medicines to lower your cholesterol, such as colestipol or cholestyramine.
- Medicines for diabetes (tablets or insulin).
- Medicines to control your heart beat (antiarrhythmic agents) such as digoxin and beta- blockers.
- Medicines that can be affected by potassium blood levels such as some antipsychotic medicines.
- Heparin (a medicine for thinning the blood)
- Water tablets (diuretics).
- Laxatives.
- Penicillin (an antibiotic).
- Amphotericin (for the treatment of fungal infections).
- Lithium (a medicine for mental health problems).
- Steroids such as prednisolone.
- Pituitary hormone (ACTH).
- Medicines to treat cancer.
- Amantadine (for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease or for serious infections caused by viruses).
- Barbiturates (a type of sedative also used to treat epilepsy).
- Carbenoxolone (for treatment of oesophageal disease, or oral ulcers).
- Anticholinergic agents such as atropine and biperiden.
- Cyclosporine, a medicine used for organ transplant to avoid organ rejection.
- Other medicines that may lead to enhancement of the antihypertensive effect such as baclofen (a medicine for relief of spasticity), amifostin (used in cancer treatment) and some antipsychotic medicines.
Taking Candesartan HCT +pharma with food and drink (in particular alcohol)
- You can take Candesartan HCT +pharma with or without food.
- When you are prescribed Candesartan HCT +pharma, discuss with your doctor before drinking alcohol. Alcohol may make you feel faint or dizzy.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Pregnancy
You must tell your doctor if you think you are (or might become) pregnant. Your doctor will normally advise you to stop taking Candesartan HCT +pharma before you become pregnant or as soon as you know you are pregnant and will advise you to take another medicine instead of Candesartan HCT +pharma. Candesartan HCT +pharma is not recommended during pregnancy, and must not be taken when more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used after the third month of pregnancy.
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Breast-feeding
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or about to start breast-feeding. Candesartan HCT +pharma is not recommended for mothers who are breast-feeding, and your doctor may choose another treatment for you if you wish to breast-feed, especially if your baby is newborn, or was born prematurely.
Driving and using machines
Some people may feel tired or dizzy when taking Candesartan HCT +pharma. If this happens to you, do not drive or use any tools or machines.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Candesartan HCT +pharma
Candesartan HCT +pharma contains lactose which is a type of sugar. If you have been told by doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
