Amias

What is Amias?

Amias is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It can also help to prevent more serious health conditions from occurring such as heart attacks and strokes. It works by lowering your blood pressure so that your heart can pump blood around the body with greater ease.

How effective is Amias?

Amias is very effective at treating both high blood pressure and heart failure. It’s most effective when taken over a long period of time and in most cases, a positive change can be seen after four weeks.

How long does it take for Amias to work?

Amias will usually start to work two hours after taking it but it can take four weeks to have a lasting effect on your blood pressure. If you are being treated for heart failure then the process is slower so it’s likely to take several months before you notice a difference. You should keep taking the medicine as prescribed, even if you feel better or don’t notice much difference, as high blood pressure doesn’t necessarily cause symptoms. 
 

Can I stop taking Amias if my blood pressure is lower?

You should continue to take Amias even if your blood pressure lowers. If you stop taking it then you risk having your blood pressure rise again, which puts you at risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the future. 

Active ingredients

Candesartan cilexetil is the active ingredient contained in Amias.

Inactive ingredients

The inactive ingredients contained in Amias are carmellose calcium, lactose monohydrate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, maize starch, red iron oxide (E172) and macrogol.

Which ingredients can cause an allergic reaction?

You should not take Amias if you have a known allergy to any of the active or inactive ingredients in the medication. While a severe allergic reaction to this drug is rare, if you do have an allergy it will present with hives/itch, swelling of the face and lips, severe dizziness, difficulty breathing and chest tightness. If you notice any of these symptoms, you could be having a severe allergic reaction and will need immediate medical attention.

Amias dosage

To begin with, you’d usually be given a low dose of 8mg of Amias to reduce your blood pressure. After the first few weeks, your blood pressure would be measured to determine if the medicine is effectively reducing your blood pressure or not. Your dose of Amias may be increased if your blood pressure remains high.

How to take Amias?

Amias is taken once a day. You can take it at any time of the day with or without food. It’s recommended to stick to the same time each day to get your body into a routine and you should always follow your doctor’s instructions when taking Amias. If you forget to take Amias, take your tablet as soon as you remember. If it’s already the next day, just skip the dose and take the next one at your scheduled time. Do not double the dose.

Amias side effects

Common side effects include: 

• Abdominal pain
• Physical weakness or lack of energy
• Back pain
• Cough
• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness, particularly after standing up
• Headache
• An increased level of potassium recorded in blood tests 
• Low blood pressure 
• Nausea or vomiting
• Changes to kidney function
• Increased risk of infection

Uncommon side effects may include: 

• Skin swelling or rash
• Muscle aches or pains
• Other skin reactions
• Reduced platelet count

Rare side effects may include: 

• Joint pain
• Abnormal liver function
• Abnormalities of the blood including agranulocytosis, leucopenia and neutropenia)
• Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
• Hyponatraemia (low levels of sodium salt in the blood)

Serious side effects are rare, however, if you experience any of the following then seek medical attention: 

• Rash, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, wheezing or difficulty breathing – this may indicate an allergic reaction
• Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes – this can indicate a liver problem
• Purple spots on the skin or unexpected bruising or bleeding – this may indicate a blood disorder
• Weakness, an irregular heartbeat or palpitations, pins and needles or muscle cramps – these can be signs of changes in the salt levels in your blood

Contraindications

Amias is not suitable for you if you are:

• Allergic to any of the ingredients in this medication
• Pregnant

Before taking Amias, tell your doctor if any of the following conditions apply:

• You have diabetes
• You are under 18 or over 65
• You are prone to vomiting or diarrhoea 
• You have kidney problems including renal artery stenosis
• You have had a kidney transplant
• You have heart problems, including heart failure or valvular heart disease 
• You have liver disease
• You have any operations scheduled
• You are trying to get pregnant 
• You are breastfeeding
• You are of black African or African-Caribbean descent
• You have a history of angioedema (rapid and severe swelling of the skin)
• You have primary aldosteronism
• You have been on a low-salt diet
• You have ever had low blood pressure

Drug interactions

It’s a good idea to disclose any other medicines that you are taking, or plan to take, before beginning a new prescription. This includes any herbal medicines or remedies. The following medicines could interact with Amias: 

• Additional medication to treat high blood pressure
• Certain types of painkillers e.g. ibuprofen
• Aspirin in doses higher than 3mg per day 
• Potassium supplements 
• Heparin
• Diuretics 
• Spironolactone
• Lithium 

Can Amias affect my contraception?

Hormonal contraceptives like the combined pill and the contraceptive patch can raise your blood pressure making them unsuitable for women with high blood pressure. You should inform your doctor if you are on a combined hormonal contraceptive before beginning your treatment.

Could Amias affect my fertility?

This medicine won’t affect fertility in either men or women. Women who are planning on having a baby should discuss this with their doctor beforehand as taking Amias is not suitable during pregnancy.

How to cope with Amias side effects?

Common side effects of Amias include dizziness, nausea, sickness or diarrhoea, headaches and muscular or joint pain. If you experience these side effects, make sure you stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. Take Amias after eating if it’s affecting your stomach and don’t rush yourself if you feel dizzy; avoid driving and operating machinery until the dizzy spells pass. If you experience more serious side effects like swelling, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest or a rash then you should seek medical assistance immediately as these are signs of an allergic reaction.

Amias vs Candesartan

Candesartan is the name of the generic version of Amias, whereas Amias is a brand name. Both contain the same medicine and work equally well for treating high blood pressure and heart failure.

Amias vs other angiotensin receptor blockers

Amias works in a similar way to other angiotensin receptor blockers, however different angiotensin receptor blockers may have slightly different side effect profiles.

Amias vs other high blood pressure medications

While Amias works by affecting a specific hormone that helps to control your blood pressure (angiotensin II), there are other types of medicine that work in different ways. Calcium-channel blockers reduce the effects of calcium on the walls of the arteries, while thiazide diuretics help to flush out excess salt and water from the body. Your doctor will prescribe you the medicine that’s best for you based on your symptoms and medical history.

Can I take Amias for anxiety?

Amias is designed to treat high blood pressure and heart failure and there is no evidence to show that it can have an effect on anxiety. There are many different methods of treating anxiety which includes medication, cognitive behavioural therapy, yoga and exercise. Some blood pressure medications (beta-blockers) can be used to treat the symptoms of anxiety. If anxiety is having a significant impact on your daily life then speak to your doctor to get help.

Can I take Amias for migraines?

Amias can be useful for the prevention of migraines in those who suffer frequent attacks. If you suffer from migraines, you can ask your doctor for advice on suitable treatments. You should only take Amias as prescribed.

Will Amias affect my sex life?

Taking Amias won’t have an impact on your sex life. Amias does not have any known affect upon erections or libido.

Is Amias addictive?

Amias has not proven to be addictive.