This medicine is indicated for the treatment of high blood pressure  (hypertension) in adult patients, as well as in children and adolescents aged 6 to under 18 years. Additionally, it is prescribed for adult heart failure patients with reduced heart muscle function, particularly when Angiotensin Converting Enzyme  (ACE) inhibitors are contraindicated, or in conjunction with ACE inhibitors when symptoms persist despite treatment and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) cannot be utilised. ACE inhibitors and MRAs are commonly employed medicines in the treatment of heart failure.

There are several circumstances in which you should avoid taking Amias tablets, which contain candesartan cilexetil or any of the other ingredients listed in section 6 of the   Patient Information Leaflet, if you are allergic to them. Additionally, it is advisable to refrain from using Amias if you are more than 3 months pregnant, as it is best to avoid this medication during early pregnancy (please refer to the pregnancy section of the  Patient Information Leaflet for further information). Furthermore, individuals with severe liver disease or biliary obstruction, which involves a problem with the drainage of bile from the gall bladder, should not take Amias. The medication is not suitable for children under 1 year of age. If you are currently taking a blood pressure lowering medicine containing aliskiren and you have diabetes or impaired kidney function, it is also recommended to avoid Amias. If you are uncertain whether any of these conditions apply to you, it is important to consult your doctor or pharmacist before initiating treatment with Amias.

Before commencing treatment with Amias, it is imperative to consult your doctor if you have underlying heart, liver, or kidney issues, or if you are undergoing dialysis. Special caution should be exercised if you have recently undergone a kidney transplant or are experiencing vomiting, severe vomiting, or diarrhoea. Individuals diagnosed with Conn’s syndrome, a condition affecting the adrenal gland, or those with low blood pressure, should also seek medical advice before taking Amias. Furthermore, if you have a history of stroke or suspect you may be pregnant, it is crucial to inform your doctor promptly. Amias is not recommended during early pregnancy and should be avoided if you are beyond the first trimester, as it may pose serious risks to the unborn baby (please refer to the pregnancy section of the   Patient Information Leaflet for detailed information). Additionally, caution is advised if you are taking medications for high blood pressure, such as ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril) or aliskiren, or if you are concurrently using an ACE inhibitor with a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) for heart failure treatment. Regular monitoring of kidney function, blood pressure, and electrolyte levels, including potassium, may be necessary, as advised by your doctor. It is important to adhere to medical guidance, and your doctor may opt for more frequent check-ups or additional tests based on your medical history. If you are scheduled for surgery, it is vital to inform your doctor or dentist about your Amias medication, as certain anaesthetics, when combined with Amias, may lead to a drop in  blood pressure .

Like all medicines, this can cause side effects, although not everybody experiences them. It is crucial to be aware of potential side effects. If you encounter any allergic reactions such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or severe itching of the skin with raised lumps, discontinue the use of Amias immediately and seek medical assistance. Additionally, Amias may lead to a reduction in the number of white blood cells, resulting in decreased resistance to infection, tiredness, or fever. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult your doctor promptly. Periodic blood tests may be conducted by your doctor to monitor for any effects on your blood, such as agranulocytosis. Other possible side effects may include feeling dizzy, headache, respiratory infection, low blood pressure causing faintness or dizziness, alterations in blood test results (particularly increased potassium levels if you have kidney problems or heart failure), effects on kidney function (potentially leading to kidney failure in rare cases), facial swelling, skin rash, itching, back pain, joint and muscle pain, liver function changes (including hepatitis, characterised by tiredness, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and flu-like symptoms), cough, nausea, and alterations in blood sodium levels  (which, if severe, may manifest as weakness, lack of energy, or muscle cramps). If you experience any of these symptoms, it is advisable to consult your doctor for further guidance.

Inform your doctor or pharmacist about any other medicines you are currently using, have recently used, or might use. Amias has the potential to interact with certain medications, and vice versa. Therefore, your doctor may need to conduct blood tests periodically if you are taking specific medications. It is particularly important to disclose if you are using any of the following medicines, as your doctor may need to adjust your dosage or take additional precautions: other medications to lower blood pressure, such as beta-blockers, diazoxide, and  ACE inhibitors like enalapril, captopril, lisinopril, or ramipril; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, celecoxib, or etoricoxib for pain relief and inflammation; acetylsalicylic acid (if you are consuming more than 3 grams daily) for pain relief and inflammation; potassium supplements or potassium-containing salt substitutes, which elevate potassium levels in the blood; heparin, a blood-thinning medication; diuretics (water tablets); lithium, a medication for mental health conditions; ACE inhibitors or aliskiren (refer to the sections “Do not take Amias” and “Warnings and precautions” in   Patient Information Leaflet for further details); and if you are undergoing treatment with an ACE inhibitor alongside certain other medications for heart failure, known as mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA), such as spironolactone or eplerenone.