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 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. 

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.

Active ingredients

Candesartan cilexetil is the active ingredient contained in Amias. It’s a type of medicine called angiotensin II receptor antagonists which relax your blood vessels and help make them wider. This means your blood can flow more freely, reducing hypertension (high blood pressure).

Inactive ingredients

The inactive ingredients contained in Amias are: Carmellose Calcium, Lactose Monohydrate, Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Maize Starch, Red Iron Oxide and Macrogol. 

Amias dosage

You’ll usually be issued a low dose of 8mg of Amias to begin with for treating high blood pressure. After the first few weeks, you’ll have your blood pressure measured to determine whether or not the medicine is taking effect. You may have your dose of Amias 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 and 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 the directions relevant to you given by your doctor. If you forget, then take your tablet as soon as you remember but do not double the dose.

Drug interactions

You should inform your doctor of any other medications or supplements you are taking in case they interfere with Amias. In particular, the following medicines interact with candesartan:

• Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors such as enalapril, captopril, lisinopril or ramipril and diazoxide can also lower your blood pressure.
• Anti-inflammatories 
• Acetylsalicylic acid 
• Potassium supplements 
• Blood thinning medications 
• Diuretics 
• Lithium  

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; perhaps 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.

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.

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. These methods of contraception can stop Amias from working properly. You should inform your doctor if you are on a combined hormonal contraceptive before beginning your treatment.   

Amias side effects

The side effects of Amias may vary from person to person as everyone responds to medication differently. The most widely reported side effects include: 

Common (affecting up to one in ten people):

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Sinus or throat infections 

These side effects are particularly common in children.

Rare (affecting less than one in 10,000 people):

• Cough
• Nausea
• Muscular, back or joint pain
• Rash, hives or itchy skin
• Angioedema (swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or face)
• Changes in the functioning of the liver
• Kidney failure or decreased kidney function
• Decrease in white blood cells in the body
• A spike in potassium levels in the blood or decrease in sodium   

Contraindications

Amias should not be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women, patients who have had a recent kidney transplant, if you have liver disease or a reduced functioning liver or an allergy to candesartan. It’s also not suitable for children under 6,  if you are diabetic, have kidney or heart problems, or biliary obstruction (where problems arise with bile draining from your gallbladder.)

Amias vs other high blood pressure medications

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

Amias vs other angiotensin receptor blockers

Amias works in a similar way to other angiotensin receptor blockers, producing the same side effects.   

Amias vs Candesartan

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

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 include antidepressants, cognitive behavioural therapy, yoga and exercise. 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?

A study by St. Olavs Hospital in Trondheim, Norway and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that Amias proves effective at treating migraines in patients who have tried other standard treatments but have had no relief from them. 

Will Amias affect my sex life?

Taking Amias won’t have an impact on your sex life.  

Is Amias addictive?

Amias has not proven to be addictive.

Sources

• Patient Information Leaflet
• NHS > Candesartan
• Science Daily > New Hope for Migraine Sufferers
• Psychology Today > Anxiety & High Blood Pressure