Adesan HCT (Candesartan Cilexetil And Hydrochlorothiazide)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Adesan HCT Used For?
Adesan HCT is a combination medication that contains two active ingredients working together to effectively manage high blood pressure.
Primary Uses
Adesan HCT is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
How It Works
Candesartan cilexetil is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist that works by causing relaxation of blood vessels. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that works by reducing the amount of excess fluid in the body. Using these two medicines together will lower your blood pressure more than using either one on its own.
Good to know: The combination of two different types of blood pressure medications provides more effective blood pressure control than either medication alone.
How to Take Adesan HCT
Adesan HCT should be taken consistently every day to maintain proper blood pressure control.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one tablet once daily, taken whole with a glass of water. Take it at about the same time each day. It does not matter whether you take Adesan HCT with food or on an empty stomach. Continue taking the tablets for as long as your doctor tells you to, as Adesan HCT helps control your condition but does not cure it.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, as long as it is at least 12 hours before your next dose is due. Then go back to taking it as you would normally. If it is less than 12 hours to your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- headache or dizziness
- flu-like symptoms or infections
- chest, throat or sinus infections
- feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting
- back pain
- urinary tract infection
- feeling tired
- stomach ache
- symptoms of sunburn which happens more quickly than normal
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- allergic reaction (swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet or ankles, rash, itching or hives)
- rapid heartbeats
- aching muscles, tenderness or weakness in muscles
- suspicious skin lesions
- harsh sounds when breathing
- easy bruising or bleeding more easily than normal
- feeling extremely tired
- yellowing of skin and/or eyes
- signs of frequent infections (fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers)
- worsening kidney function (passing little or no urine, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, breathlessness, loss of appetite and weakness)
- decrease in vision or pain in eyes due to high pressure
- symptoms of high potassium levels (nausea, diarrhea, muscle weakness and changes in heart rhythm)
- acute respiratory distress (severe shortness of breath, fever, weakness and confusion)
Important Warnings
There are several important safety considerations before starting Adesan HCT treatment.
Who Should Not Take Adesan HCT
Do not use if you are allergic to candesartan cilexetil, hydrochlorothiazide, any angiotensin II receptor antagonist, or any sulphur drugs (sulphonamides). Do not use if you have gout, severe kidney or liver disease, conditions associated with impaired bile flow (cholestasis), or if you are taking blood pressure medicine containing aliskiren (especially if you have diabetes or kidney problems).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have: kidney problems, liver problems, heart problems, diabetes, recent excessive vomiting or diarrhea, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a salt restricted diet, primary hyperaldosteronism, past sympathectomy operation, decrease in vision or eye pain, or previous breathing/lung problems following hydrochlorothiazide intake.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not use Adesan HCT if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as it may affect your baby. Do not use if you are breastfeeding, as your baby can take in components of Adesan HCT from breast milk. Call your doctor straightaway if you become pregnant while taking Adesan HCT.
Children: Do not give Adesan HCT to children. There is no information about its use in children.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Adesan HCT and affect how it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines or may need to take different medicines.
Important: Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect Adesan HCT.
- Other blood pressure lowering medicines, particularly diuretics and ACE-inhibitors
- Medicines containing potassium, including salt substitutes
- Digoxin (heart failure medicine)
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Colestipol and cholestyramine (cholesterol medicines)
- Lithium (mood disorder medicine)
- Strong pain killers such as codeine, morphine, dextropropoxyphene
- Barbiturates, such as phenobarbitone
- Diabetes medicines like insulin
- Calcium supplements or medicines containing calcium
- Vitamin D supplements
- Medicines to treat irregular heart beats
- Corticosteroids such as prednisone, cortisone, dexamethasone
- Laxatives
- Cancer medicines such as cyclophosphamide
- Methotrexate
- Amantadine (Parkinson’s disease medicine)
- Ciclosporin
Alcohol & Driving
Adesan HCT may affect your ability to drive and can interact with alcohol.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may interfere with Adesan HCT.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Adesan HCT affects you. Adesan HCT may cause dizziness when you start taking it due to the drop in your blood pressure. Move slowly when getting out of bed or standing up if you feel faint, dizzy or light-headed.
Temperature Regulation
Drink plenty of water while you are using Adesan HCT, especially if you sweat a lot.
Storage
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take Adesan HCT out of the blister pack it will not keep well. Keep it in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Store it away from moisture, heat or sunlight – do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think that you have used too much Adesan HCT, you may need urgent medical attention. You should immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. If you take too many Adesan HCT tablets you may get a headache, feel sick (nausea), dizzy, thirsty and very tired.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication helps control your blood pressure, but the source doesn’t specify exact timing. Your doctor will monitor your progress and may want to take tests from time to time to check how well it’s working.
Yes, it does not matter whether you take Adesan HCT with food or on an empty stomach.
Do not stop taking Adesan HCT unless you have discussed it with your doctor. Adesan HCT helps control your condition but does not cure it, so you must take it every day as prescribed.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol, as alcohol may interfere with Adesan HCT.
Take it as soon as you remember, as long as it is at least 12 hours before your next dose is due. If it’s less than 12 hours to your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Do not take a double dose.
Yes, treatment with hydrochlorothiazide may increase the risk of some types of skin and lip cancer. Limit exposure to sunlight and protect your skin when exposed to sun while taking Adesan HCT. Tell your doctor if you develop any suspicious skin lesions.
If you develop any severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing after taking Adesan HCT, seek medical attention immediately.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.