Amias

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Reviewed on July 14, 2026. by Ms Sanjeda Chowdhury Superintendent Pharmacist + Independent Prescriber Registered with GPhC (No. 2202465) Next review due on Jul 14, 2029.

Last updated on July 14, 2026.

Product info

Amias is a tablet for high blood pressure. It’s the branded version of candesartan.
It helps blood vessels widen, making it easier for your heart to pump blood.
You usually take one tablet each day.

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Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
Consultation + Access to our clinicians
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£42.95

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Amias: essential info
Amias: instructions
Important stuff you need to know
FAQ

What is Amias?

Amias is a daily tablet that treats hypertension. It’s the branded version of the generic medication candesartan.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common condition that affects more than one billion people worldwide ^[1]. Essentially, it means that the pressure inside your blood vessels is higher than it should be.

When left unchecked, hypertension can put a strain on your body over time. It can silently damage your arteries, heart, brain and other vital organs. By taking control of your blood pressure, you can significantly reduce the risk of serious complications down the road.

In addition, Amias is also prescribed for heart failure patients with reduced heart muscle function. This is particularly beneficial when other types of hypertension medications, like Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, are ineffective.

How does Amias work?

Amias works by helping your blood vessels relax and widen, which leads to a drop in your blood pressure. Amias also makes it easier for your heart to pump blood throughout your entire body.

Candesartan, the active ingredient in Amias, belongs to a group of medicines called angiotensin II receptor antagonists or blockers (ARBs), which are used to treat high blood pressure and reduced heart muscle function.

The active ingredient works by curbing the action of a hormone in your body called angiotensin II. This hormone is known to cause blood vessel constriction, which causes your blood pressure to go up. But ARBs, including candesartan, block essential receptors that angiotensin II binds to, found in the heart, kidney, and blood vessels. So, with the action of this hormone blocked, you get better blood pressure control and long-term well-being for your heart.

What doses of Amias are there?

Amias tablets are available in five different strengths:

2mg
4mg
8mg
16mg
32mg

The 4mg, 8mg, 16mg, and 32mg tablets can be split in half to create two equal doses, but you should ask your clinician first before doing this.

Treated trusted sources:

World Health Organization (2023). Hypertension. [online] Who.int.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Ms Sanjeda Chowdhury on July 14, 2026. Next review due on July 14, 2029.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

How to take Amias

When it comes to taking this medicine, it’s essential to follow your clinician’s instructions. If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor or pharmacist for clarification.

When taking Amias, remember to:

take it every day, ideally at the same time (this helps to build a habit so that you remember to take it).
swallow it with a drink of water. You can take the tablet with or without food.

How long does it take Amias to work?

You can expect to notice improvements when taking Amias in around 4 weeks. In most clinical trials, a dose of 8mg of the active ingredient, candesartan cilexetil, effectively brought blood pressure down to healthy levels within 4 weeks for most patients. However, some required higher doses of 16mg or 32mg to achieve the desired outcomes ^[1].

It’s important to keep in mind that everyone responds to medications differently. What works well for one person may not have the same effect for another. As a result, the time needed for Amias to take effect can vary from patient to patient.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Amias?

If you forget to take your dose of Amias, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s already the next day, just skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. If you find that you often forget to take your medication, setting an alarm or asking your clinician for advice can be helpful to ensure that you stay on track.

It’s important not to take two doses at once to make up for the one you missed. This is because taking too much candesartan can have some unwanted effects like low blood pressure and dizziness.

The amount of candesartan that can lead to an overdose can vary from person to person. So, if you take more than the recommended dose and start experiencing any side effects, don’t hesitate to seek medical help right away.

Treated trusted sources:

www.medicines.org.uk. (n.d.). Amias 4mg Tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – (emc). 4.2. Posology and method of administration [online]

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Ms Sanjeda Chowdhury on July 14, 2026. Next review due on July 14, 2029.

How we source info.

FAQ: Amias

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Do I need a prescription for Amias?

Answer:

Yes, you'll need a prescription, so that you can be sure that Amias is the right medication for you. It's important to keep in mind that it may not be suitable for everyone, as it depends on your particular health condition and any other medications you may be taking.

What dose of Amias should I take?

Answer:

Your doctor will determine the appropriate dosage for your specific situation, and will guide you through any changes that are required.

Generally, in adults the following doses are used:

High blood pressure - 8mg to 32mg once daily.

Heart failure - initial dose of 4mg once daily, increased at intervals of at least 2 weeks up to a maximum of 32mg per day.

Certain factors like liver or kidney problems, recent fluid loss, or your skin colour may require a lower or higher starting dose.

In young people, aged 6 to 18 years old, with high blood pressure:

Patients weighing less than 50 kg - 4mg to 8mg once a day.

Patients weighing 50 kg or more - 4mg to 16mg once a day.

How effective is Amias?

Answer:

The effectiveness of Amias will depend on how you respond to the treatment. Three clinical studies found that 81% ^[3], 64% ^[4], and 61% ^[5] of the patients who took candesartan for high blood pressure experienced a significant and positive effect.

What's even more impressive is that candesartan has demonstrated long-lasting effects, unlike some other treatments that can cause drastic blood pressure changes after you stop taking the medication ^[6]. This means that users of Amias generally don't experience severe rebound effects once they finish the treatment.

While Amias can work wonders, it's important to remember that lifestyle changes may complement its effectiveness. So your doctor may suggest certain adjustments to your lifestyle such as regular exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, reducing alcohol consumption and staying away from recreational drugs.

Is Amias similar to other treatments for hypertension?

Answer:

Candesartan, the active ingredient in Amias, falls under a group of drugs known as ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers). You'll find other medications like irbesartan, valsartan, losartan and more sharing the same classification. Quick tip, you guessed it, if a medicine's name ends with 'sartan', it's an ARB.

These medications also work in a similar way by blocking a hormone called angiotensin II in your body, but how well they work and who they suit can vary. For instance, one clinical study found that candesartan (in doses of 16 and 32 mg/day) was more efficient in lowering blood pressure compared to losartan (given in doses of 50 and 100 mg/day) ^[1]. In another study, an 8 mg dose of candesartan proved to be similarly effective as a 20 mg dose of olmesartan ^[2].

If you think you might need to change your treatment for hypertension, our clinical team can help you find the option that suits you best. This may include an ARB or another type of hypertension medication, such as ACE inhibitors or calcium channel blockers, or a combination of these treatments.

Can you get side effects from Amias?

Answer:

Candesartan cilexetil, the active ingredient in Amias, is usually well-tolerated by most people. However, like with any medication, there's a chance of experiencing some unwanted effects. Don't worry though, most of these effects are usually temporary and they often get better after a few days as your body adjusts.

The most common side effects of Amias tablets, affecting around 1 in 10 people, include:

dizziness

headache

low blood pressure

respiratory infection

changes to kidney function (you are more susceptible to this if you already have kidney problems or heart failure)

In the rare case in which you experience a severe side effect, it is important to seek medical assistance right away.

Treated trusted sources:

Lacourcière, Y. and Asmar, R. (1999). A comparison of the efficacy and duration of action of candesartan cilexetil and losartan as assessed by clinic and ambulatory blood pressure after a missed dose, in truly hypertensive patients: a placebo-controlled, forced titration study. Candesartan/Losartan study investigators. American Journal of Hypertension, [online] 12, pp.1181–1187.
Brunner, H.R., Stumpe, K.O. and Januszewicz, A. (2003). Antihypertensive Efficacy of Olmesartan Medoxomil and Candesartan Cilexetil Assessed by 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Patients with Essential Hypertension. Clinical Drug Investigation, 23(7), pp.419–430.
Sever, P. and Holzgreve, H. (1997). Long-term efficacy and tolerability of candesartan cilexetil in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Journal of Human Hypertension, [online] 11 Suppl 2, pp.S69-73.
Gradman, A.H., Lewin, A., Bowling, B.T., Tonkon, M., Deedwania, P.C., Kezer, A.E., Hardison, J.D., Cushing, D.J. and Michelson, E.L. (1999). Comparative effects of candesartan cilexetil and losartan in patients with systemic hypertension. Candesartan Versus Losartan Efficacy Comparison (CANDLE) Study Group. Heart Disease (Hagerstown, Md.), [online] 1(2), pp.52–57.
Zanchetti, A. and Omboni S. (2001). Comparison of candesartan versus enalapril in essential hypertension. American Journal of Hypertension, 14(2), pp.129–134.
Grassi, G., Seravalle, G., Dell’Oro, R., Trevano, F.Q., Bombelli, M., Scopelliti, F., Facchini, A. and Mancia, G. (2003). Comparative effects of candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide on blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and sympathetic drive in obese hypertensive individuals: results of the CROSS study. Journal of Hypertension, [online] 21(9), p.1761.