Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Candesartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Candesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

The combination of hydrochlorothiazide and candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Hydrochlorothiazide and candesartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not use hydrochlorothiazide and candesartan if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to candesartan or hydrochlorothiazide (Carozide, Diaqua, Ezide HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide, and others), or if you are unable to urinate.

Before you take this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, congestive heart failure, glaucoma, low or high levels of potassium in your blood, asthma or allergies, high cholesterol or triglycerides, gout, lupus, diabetes, or an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin.

Hydrochlorothiazide and candesartan may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and candesartan.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to candesartan or hydrochlorothiazide (Carozide, Diaqua, Ezide HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide, and others), or if you are unable to urinate.

To make sure you can safely take hydrochlorothiazide and candesartan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• congestive heart failure;

• glaucoma;

• low or high levels of potassium in your blood;

• asthma or allergies;

• high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);

• gout;

• lupus;

• diabetes; or

• an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use hydrochlorothiazide and candesartan if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Hydrochlorothiazide and candesartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking hydrochlorothiazide and candesartan.

It is not known whether hydrochlorothiazide and candesartan passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.