* Generic Name: irbesartan-hydrochlorothiazide
* Brand Name: Avalide
* What is hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan (Avalide)?
* What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and
irbesartan (Avalide)?
* What is the most important information I should know about
hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan (Avalide)?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan (Avalide)?
* How should I take hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan (Avalide)?
* What happens if I miss a dose (Avalide)?
* What happens if I overdose (Avalide)?
* What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and
irbesartan (Avalide)?
* What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan
(Avalide)?
* Where can I get more information (Avalide)?
What is hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan (Avalide)?
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps
prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid
retention.
Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist.
Irbesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood
pressure and improves blood flow.
Hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan is a combination medicine used to
treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan may also be used for purposes not
listed in this medication guide.
What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan
(Avalide)?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
throat.
In rare cases, hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan can cause a condition
that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to
kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained
muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also
have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.
Also call your doctor at once if you have:
* eye pain, vision problems;
* a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
* little or no urinating;
* jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
* easy bruising, unusual bleeding; or
* signs of an electrolyte imbalance--increased thirst or
urination, leg cramps, constipation, vomiting, irregular
heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, numbness or tingling, muscle
weakness or limp feeling, loss of coordination, confusion,
feeling unsteady.
Common side effects may include:
* dizziness;
* muscle or joint pain; or
* feeling tired.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about
hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan (Avalide)?
Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking
this medicine and tell your doctor right away.
You should not use this medicine if you are unable to urinate, or if
you are allergic to sulfa drugs.
If you have diabetes, do not use hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan
together with any medication that contains aliskiren (such as
Tekturna or Tekamlo).
Avalide Patient Information including How Should I Take
High Blood Pressure: Learn About Hypertension
High Blood Pressure Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Take the Salt Quiz!
Lowering Blood Pressure:Exercise Tips for Getting Started
Lowering Blood Pressure Exercise Tips Pictures
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan (Avalide)?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to irbesartan or
hydrochlorothiazide, or if:
* you are unable to urinate; or
* you are allergic to sulfa drugs.
If you have diabetes, do not use hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan
together with any medication that contains aliskiren (such as Tekturna
or Tekamlo).
You may also need to avoid taking hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan
with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
To make sure hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan is safe for you, tell
your doctor if you have ever had:
* liver disease;
* congestive heart failure;
* glaucoma;
* low or high levels of potassium in your blood;
* asthma or allergies;
* high cholesterol or triglyceride levels;
* gout;
* lupus;
* diabetes; or
* an allergy to penicillin.
Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking
this medicine and tell your doctor right away. Hydrochlorothiazide and
irbesartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the
medicine during your second or third trimester.
Hydrochlorothiazide can pass into breast milk and may cause side
effects in the nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using
this medicine.
How should I take hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan (Avalide)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
occasionally change your dose. Do not take this medicine in larger or
smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you
are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while
taking this medication, which can lead to severely low blood
pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your blood and urine
may also be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.
If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon ahead of
time that you are using hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan.
It may take up to 4 weeks for this medication to control your blood
pressure. Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well.
High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood
pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Avalide Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
High Blood Pressure: Learn About Hypertension
High Blood Pressure Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Take the Salt Quiz!
Lowering Blood Pressure:Exercise Tips for Getting Started
Lowering Blood Pressure Exercise Tips Pictures
What happens if I miss a dose (Avalide)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose (Avalide)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include fast or slow heartbeat, feeling
light-headed, or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan
(Avalide)?
If you also take cholestyramine or colestipol, avoid taking these
medications within 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take
hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan.
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may cause
side effects.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are
taking hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan, unless your doctor has told
you to.
What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan (Avalide)?
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or
stop using, especially:
* carbamazepine;
* insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
* lithium; or
* NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen
(Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib,
diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with
hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan, including prescription and
over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all
possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Where can I get more information (Avalide)?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about hydrochlorothiazide
and irbesartan.
__________________________________________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment