Amias

How does it work?

Amias contains the active ingredient candesartan cilexetil, which is a type of medicine called an angiotensin II antagonist. It works by preventing the action of a hormone in the body called angiotensin II.

Angiotensin II normally acts on special receptors in the body, with two main results. Firstly, it causes the peripheral blood vessels to narrow, and secondly, it stimulates the production of another hormone called aldosterone. Aldosterone causes salt and water to be retained by the kidneys, which increases the volume of fluid in the blood vessels.

Candesartan blocks the receptors that angiotensin II acts on, and so prevents its actions. The main result of this is that the peripheral blood vessels are allowed to widen, which means that there is more space and less resistance in these blood vessels. This lowers the pressure inside the blood vessels.

Blocking the actions of angiotensin II also reduces the action of aldosterone on the kidneys. The result of this is an increase in the amount of fluid removed from the blood by the kidneys. This decreases the amount of fluid in the blood vessels, which also lessens the resistance and pressure in the blood vessels.

The combined overall effect of these changes is to lower the blood pressure.

Candesartan is also used to improve the symptoms of heart failure, where the heart is not pumping as efficiently as it should. It helps heart failure because lowering the pressure within the blood vessels means that the heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump the blood around the body.

What is it used for?

High blood pressure with no known cause

Heart failure

Warning!

Dizziness and weariness may occasionally occur during treatment with blood pressure lowering medicines. If you are affected, caution is required when driving or operating machinery.

People with heart failure or decreased kidney function should have regular blood tests to monitor the levels of potassium and creatinine in their blood while taking this medicine.

People with high blood pressure caused by high levels of the hormone aldosterone (primary hyperaldosteronism) do not generally respond to this type of blood pressure lowering medicine, and it is not recommended for these people.

The safety and efficacy of this medicine in children under 18 years of age has not been studied by the manufacturer.

Use with caution in

Decreased fluid volume in the body, eg due to diuretic therapy, low salt diet, kidney dialysis, diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration

Decreased kidney function

Kidney disease

Narrowing of the artery which supplies blood to the kidneys (renal artery stenosis)

Decreased liver function

Disease of the blood vessels in and around the brain

Heart disease caused by inadequate blood flow to the heart

Heart disease characterised by thickening of the internal heart muscle and a blockage inside the heart (hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy)

Heart valve disease

Narrowing of the main artery of the body (aortic stenosis)

Severe heart failure

Not to be used in

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

Severely decreased liver function

Failure of the normal flow of bile from the liver to the intestines

Rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not be used during pregnancy as it may be harmful to an unborn baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor. Women who could get pregnant should use effective contraception to prevent pregnancy during treatment. If you do fall pregnant stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor immediately.

It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. However, it could have adverse effects on a nursing infant if it does, hence the manufacturer states that it should not be used by breastfeeding mothers. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Dizziness

Headache

Airway infections

Low blood pressure (heart failure patients)

Raised blood potassium level

Decreased kidney function

Nausea

Abnormal liver function

Skin rashes

Severe swelling of lips, face or tongue (angioedema)

Decreased white blood cell count

Decreased blood sodium level

Back pain

Pain in the muscles or joints

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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