Avalide

The active ingredients in Avalide areee irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide.

Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It functions by preventing the body's natural production of the hormone angiotensin II. This facilitates easier blood flow by relaxing your blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. Hydrochlorothiazide or HCTZ belongs to the drug class called thiazide diuretics . It functions in your kidneys to eliminate excess water and specific electrolytes, such as potassium and sodium.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide, before using Avalide. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Avalide:

• Avalide can be taken with or without food.
• If you are experiencing persistent diarrhea or vomiting, or if you are perspiring more than normal, give your doctor a call. When using this drug, you run the risk of being dehydrated, which can cause a major electrolyte imbalance or extremely low blood pressure (hypotension).
• It will be necessary to monitor your blood pressure frequently. If you have been vomiting or are dehydrated, tests may also be performed on your blood and urine.
• Inform the surgeon in advance that you are taking Avalide if you require surgery or medical testing.

The most common side effects of Avalide include:

• Dizziness.
• Muscle pain.
• Tiredness.
• Chest pain.
• Loss of appetite.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Avalide. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Severe allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lip, tongue, or throat.
• Pale skin, lightheadedness, dizziness, and a faint feeling are signs of dangerously low blood pressure.
• Liver issues include yellowing of the eyes or skin, nausea, vomiting, and disorientation.
• Serious kidney problems include unexpected weight gain, edema in your hands, ankles, or feet, and less frequent urination.
• Electrolyte imbalances, including sodium, potassium, and magnesium: irregular heartbeat, weakness, fatigue, muscle pain or cramps, problems urinating, nausea, or vomiting.
• Eye problems: sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Changes to your cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
• Increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Avalide. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Avalide, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including whether you have:

• Unable to urinate (anuria).
• Allergic to sulfa drugs or penicillin.
• Kidney disease.
• You may also need to avoid taking Avalide with Aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
• Congestive heart failure.
• Glaucoma.
• Potassium levels in your blood, either high (hyperkalemia) or low (hypokalemia).
• Allergies or asthma.
• High triglyceride or cholesterol levels.
• Diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, and gout.
• History of skin cancer.

Boxed Warning

Irbesartan, a member of the class of medications known as angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), is found in Avalide. ARBs may cause major birth abnormalities, decreased fetal renal function, and increased fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality by interfering with a fetus's natural development.

• Using it with aliskiren (Tekturna) for diabetics.
• Not urinating.
• Medication allergy to sulfa.
• ARB allergy.

Avalide may cause a change in blood pressure within a few hours of starting treatment. However, it may take two to four weeks for this medicine to fully decrease blood pressure. Remember that your doctor may need to change your dosage based on your blood pressure reading, and it may take some time until they discover a dosage that suits you the best.

When Avalide is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Carbamazepine.
• Insulin or oral diabetes medicine.
• Lithium.
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.
• Cholestyramine.
• Colestipol.
• Potassium supplements or salt substitutes.

Avalide 150 mg/12.5 mg taken orally once daily is the usual starting dosage. The daily maximum dosage form of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide is 300 mg/25 mg.

Depending on how successful Avalide is in controlling your blood pressure and whether you are experiencing any adverse effects, your doctor may change your dosage.

Store Avalide at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

Sanofi is the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Avalide.

There are generic versions available for brand-name Avalide.

Your blood pressure may not be under control with this medicine for up to four weeks. Even if you feel well, continue taking this medication as prescribed. Symptoms of high blood pressure are frequently absent. For the rest of your life, you might need to take blood pressure medicine. Do not stop taking this medication or change your dose without talking to your provider first.

If you are pregnant, avoid using Avalide. If you become pregnant, stop taking the medication and notify your doctor immediately. If you use irbesartan during your second or third trimester, it may harm or even kill your unborn baby.

Because thiazide diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide can be found in breast milk, it is not recommended that you take Avalide while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend the best way to feed your infant.