Candesartan

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Reviewed on July 09, 2026. by Ms Sanjeda Chowdhury Superintendent Pharmacist + Independent Prescriber Registered with GPhC (No. 2202465) Next review due on Jul 09, 2029.

Last updated on July 09, 2026.

Product info

Candesartan is a once-daily tablet treatment for hypertension (high blood pressure).
It’s also used to treat people with heart failure and low heart muscle function.
It comes in five different doses, and you usually start on the lowest.

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Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
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£34.95

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

What is Candesartan?

Candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It belongs to a group of medications called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). These help your blood vessels relax and widen which lowers your blood pressure. This makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. Candesartan can also be used for heart failure where your heart muscle doesn’t function well.

It’s taken orally as a tablet and is available in five doses, which you take once daily.

If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to a higher risk of health problems such as heart attacks, heart disease, strokes, and kidney disease. Around 32% of UK adults are thought to have high blood pressure, and because it doesn’t cause symptoms you might not always know when you have it.^[1]

You record blood pressure by looking at two numbers: systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the force your heart uses to pump blood around your body. Diastolic pressure is the pressure level in your arteries between heartbeats. A reading of over 140/90mmHg is considered to be high blood pressure.

How does Candesartan work?

Candesartan works by blocking the receptors a hormone called angiotensin II binds to. Angiotensin II constricts blood vessels which can raise blood pressure. Candesartan will relax and widen your blood vessels, by blocking the action of the hormone. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body, and for blood and oxygen to reach your heart as well.

Who is Candesartan for?

Candesartan is for people who have already tried taking other hypertension treatments, such as ACE inhibitors (like ramipril and lisinopril), that didn’t improve their symptoms.

If you have diabetes, a condition that affects your liver or kidney, or if you’ve had an allergic reaction to candesartan or any other types of ARB, you won’t be prescribed the tablets. In this case, your clinician will help you find a more suitable treatment.^[2]

What doses are available for Candesartan?

Candesartan is available in five different doses: 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32mg of candesartan cilexetil. You’ll be given the lowest dose to start with and your prescriber may then increase the dose afterwards.

For high blood pressure, you may be prescribed 8mg to 32mg once a day. For heart failure, it’s 4mg to 32mg once a day.

Treated trusted sources:

Office for national statistics (2023). Risk factors for undiagnosed high blood pressure in England – Office for National Statistics.
NHS (December 2021), Medicines: Candesartan: Who can and cannot take candesartan [online] nhs.uk

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Ms Sanjeda Chowdhury on July 09, 2026. Next review due on July 09, 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.

FAQ: Candesartan

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.

Are there any side effects of Candesartan?

Answer:

Like all medicines, Candesartan can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them. Candesartan may cause your number of white blood cells to reduce, which may result in an increased likelihood of infections and fevers. Some other side effects include dizziness, headaches, and fatigue. If you suffer from kidney or heart problems, you may see an increase of potassium in your blood, which may result in fatigue, an irregular heartbeat, or pins and needles.

What are the alternatives to Candesartan?

Answer:

There are several types of medications available that can lower high blood pressure. Other ARBs include irbesartan, losartan, valsartan, and olmesartan. They contain different active ingredients but will work similarly to Candesartan.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can reduce blood pressure by also relaxing your blood vessels. Some of these treatments include lisinopril and ramipril.

Calcium channel blockers widen blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure, and if they cause too many side effects, you can use diuretics (or water pills), which work by flushing excess water and salt through urination.

When other treatments haven't been effective, you might be recommended beta blockers. These are a type of medication that work by making your heart beat slower and steadier.

How effective is Candesartan?

Answer:

Candesartan has been proven to be effective at reducing high blood pressure and helping to reduce the risk of heart failure.

One placebo-controlled study (CHARM) found an overall decrease in cardiovascular death and a reduction in hospitalisation.^[1] Candesartan has also been shown to be more effective than other ARBs, such as losartan, and is very well tolerated.^[2]

Can I take Candesartan while pregnant?

Answer:

It is best to avoid taking Candesertan if you are pregnant, especially during the first trimester. Speak to your clinician first if you think you’re pregnant or trying to conceive.

Do I need a prescription for Candesartan?

Answer:

Yes. You will need a prescription for Candesartan before you start using it, as your clinician will need to check your blood pressure first to make sure the treatment is safe and suitable for you.

Treated trusted sources:

Lund, Lars H et al. “Heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction in CHARM: characteristics, outcomes and effect of candesartan across the entire ejection fraction spectrum.” European journal of heart failure vol. 20,8 (2018): 1230-1239. doi:10.1002/ejhf.1149
Bakris, George, et al. “Antihypertensive Efficacy of Candesartan in Comparison to Losartan: The CLAIM Study.” The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, vol. 3, no. 1, 2001, pp. 16-21, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-6175.2001.00826.x. Accessed 13 Mar. 2023.