Atacand vs. Micardis

• Are Atacand and Micardis the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Atacand?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Micardis?
• What Is Atacand?
• What Is Micardis?
• What Drugs Interact with Atacand?
• What Drugs Interact with Micardis?
• How Should Atacand Be Taken?
• How Should Micardis Be Taken?

Atacand (candesartan cilexetil) and Micardis (telmisartan) are angiotensin II receptor antagonists used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Micardis is also used to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death from heart problems in people who are at least 55 years old with risk factors for serious heart disorders.

Side effects of Atacand and Micardis that are similar include runny or stuffy nose, cough, back pain, stomach pain, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, tired feeling, or lightheadedness/ feeling like you might pass out.

Side effects of Atacand that are different from Micardis include sore throat, joint pain, chest pain, swelling in your hands or feet, slow heart rate, weak pulse, or tingly feeling.

Side effects of Micardis that are different from Atacand include blurred vision, sinus pain, weakness, or skin rash.

Common side effects of Atacand include:

• runny or stuffy nose,
• sore throat,
• cough,
• back pain,
• joint pain,
• stomach pain,
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• tired feeling,
• feeling like you might pass out,
• chest pain,
• swelling in your hands or feet,
• slow heart rate,
• weak pulse, or
• tingly feeling.

Tell the doctor immediately if you notice any of these side effects.

Common side effects of Micardis include:

• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• blurred vision, or
• back pain as your body adjusts to the medication.
• Other side effects of Micardis include stuffy nose,
• sinus pain,
• cough,
• stomach pain,
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• tired feeling,
• weakness, or
• skin rash.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Micardis including:

• fainting,
• unusual change in the amount of urine, or
• symptoms of a high potassium blood level (such as muscle weakness, slow/irregular heartbeat).

Atacand (candesartan cilexetil) is a selective AT₁ subtype angiotensin II receptor antagonist used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children 1 to less than 17 years of age.

Micardis (telmisartan) is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Micardis is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications. Micardis is also used to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death from heart problems in people who are at least 55 years old with risk factors for serious heart disorders.

Atacand may interact with alcohol, potassium supplements or salt substitutes, diuretics (water pills), lithium; or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Micardis may interact with diuretics (water pills), or digoxin. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking.

The usual recommended starting dose of Atacand is 16 mg once daily when it is used as monotherapy in patients who are not volume depleted. Atacand can be administered once or twice daily with total daily doses ranging from 8 mg to 32 mg.

Dosage of Micardis is individualized. The usual starting dose is 40 mg once a day.