Like all medicines, candesartan can cause side effects although not everyone gets them. Side effects often improve as your body gets used to the medicine.
Common side effects
These common side effects of candesartan happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them.
Feeling dizzy or faint, or having a spinning sensation (vertigo)
If candesartan makes you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you do not faint, then sit until you feel better.
Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery if you feel dizzy or faint. GOV.UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving.
Headaches
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Try not to drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking candesartan. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
Serious side effects
It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects after taking candesartan.
Call a doctor or call 111 now if:
- the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin – these can be signs of liver problems
- your skin is paler than usual, you feel tired, faint or dizzy, or you get purple spots, any sign of bleeding, sore throat and a high temperature – these can be signs of a blood or bone marrow disorder
- you get weakness, an irregular heartbeat, pins and needles and muscle cramps – these can be signs of changes in the sodium and potassium levels in your blood
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, candesartan may cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Do not drive yourself to A&E.
The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.
Long term side effects
Taking candesartan for a long time can sometimes cause your kidneys to not work as well as they should. Your doctor will check how well your kidneys are working with regular blood tests.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of candesartan. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.
Visit the Yellow Card website for more information about reporting side effects.