Avalide

Avalide

     * 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.
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