Atacand should be administered in individualized dosage to different patients. Blood pressure response is dose related over the range of 2 to 32 mg. The usual recommended starting dose of the medication is 16 mg once daily when used as monotherapy in non volume depleted patients. It can be administered once or twice daily with total daily doses ranging from 8 mg to 32 mg. Patients requiring further reduction in blood pressure should be titrated to 32 mg.

Atacand should not be taken by prescribed women since this may cause birth defects and other problems in the baby. Atacand should not be combined with other medicines, especially ones that contain potassium since this might change blood potassium levels. Over the counter medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever or sinus problems also interfere with the efficacy of Atacand by increasing blood pressure.

Like all other medications, Atacand also has its side effects which include cough, dizziness, dryness of mouth, fever, increased thirst, irregular heartbeat, light-headedness, muscle cramps, nausea, sore throat, unusual tiredness, vomiting, weak pulse, weakness, back pain, chills, diarrhea, headache, joint pain, loss of appetite, muscle aches and pains, nausea, runny nose, sneezing, sweating , trouble sleeping , unusual tiredness and vomiting. In rare cases patients may also experience arm pain, chest pain, chest tightness, fast or irregular heartbeat, large, hive like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs and shortness of breath. It is advisable to consult a doctor in case any of the above listed side effects get aggravated or persist over an extended period.

When used in pregnancy during the second and third trimesters, drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus. It is advisable to stop taking Atacand as soon as pregnancy is detected. Atacand tablets may be split and taken at half the dose, but only after medical advice.