Amias® is a brand of medication that is used to lower blood pressure. It works by inhibiting a process that narrows blood vessels and permits fluid retention. This allows the heart to pump blood through the body with less effort. Amias® is used to treat heart failure and hypertension.
The most common use for Amias® is in the treatment of hypertension, or high blood pressure. The medication treats hypertension by widening blood vessels, which allows the blood to pass through the veins and arteries with greater ease. It also decreases the overall amount of fluid passing through the blood vessels. Amias® has been shown to decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly.
Patients suffering from heart failure may also be treated with Amias®. In heart failure, the heart does not pump blood through the body effectively. Treatment with Amias® increases blood circulation as it widens the veins and arteries. This allows the blood to easily travel through the peripheral vessels even when the heart does not beat as strongly as it should. The medication does not increase heart activity or strengthen the muscles of the heart.
The active ingredient in Amias® is a chemical called candesartan cilexetil. This drug inhibits the effects of the hormone angiotensin II, which causes the blood vessels to constrict and increases the amount of salt and water that the kidneys retain. When the kidneys retain fluid, instead of disposing of it through the urinary tract, the overall volume of fluid in the body and in the blood vessels increases. Angiotensin II causes hypertension because it forces a greater volume of blood through narrower blood vessels, which strains the walls of these veins and arteries.
As with any medication, there are various side effects associated with the use of Amias®. The most common are those associated with lower blood pressure, including dizziness, which may be more pronounced if a patient is taking another medication that also lowers blood pressure. Other side effects include pain, rash and decreased function of the kidneys or liver. Amias® is not recommended for patients with decreased liver function that is due to disease or other treatment. Potassium levels can also increase to dangerous or potentially fatal levels while taking Amias®, especially if taking it along with other medications or supplements that contain potassium.
