atenolol hctz
(hyde droe klor oh THYE a zide and ER beh sar tan)
Avalide
What is the most important information I should know about HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide)and irbesartan?
• Do not take HCTZ and irbesartan if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy atenolol hctz. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, irbesartan cancause injury and even death to the developing baby atenolol hctz. Notify your doctor immediatelyif you think you might be pregnant atenolol hctz.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities atenolol hctz. HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide) and irbesartan may cause dizziness ordrowsiness atenolol hctz. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities atenolol hctz. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position atenolol hctz.
• Stop taking HCTZ and irbesartan and contact your doctor if lightheadednessor fainting occurs atenolol hctz.
• Use alcohol cautiously atenolol hctz. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizzinessthat may occur while you are taking an HCTZ and irbesartan atenolol hctz.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight atenolol hctz. HCTZ and irbesartan may increasethe sensitivity of your skin to sunlight atenolol hctz. Use a sunscreen and wear protectiveclothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable atenolol hctz.
What are HCTZ and irbesartan?
• Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor inhibitor, also called angiotensinII receptor antagonist, and is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) atenolol hctz.
• HCTZ is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) atenolol hctz. It increases the amount ofwater and salt you lose in your urine and decreases edema (swelling or fluidretention) atenolol hctz.
• Together, HCTZ and irbesartan are used to reduce hypertension (high bloodpressure) atenolol hctz.
• HCTZ and irbesartan may also be used for purposes other than those listedin this medication guide atenolol hctz.
Who should not take HCTZ and irbesartan?
• Do not take HCTZ and irbesartan without first talking to your doctorif you have an allergy to sulfa-based drugs such as sulfa antibiotics atenolol hctz. You mayhave an allergic reaction to hydrochlorothiazide atenolol hctz.
• Before taking HCTZ and irbesartan, tell your doctor if you
· have diabetes;
· have gout;
· have a collagen vascular disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus;
· have pancreatitis;
· have kidney disease;
· have liver disease;
· have high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides in your blood;
· have high levels of potassium in your blood; or
· are taking potassium a supplement (e.g., K-Dur, Klor-Con, others),or a potassium-sparing diuretic such as amiloride (Midamor), triamterene (Dyrenium,Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone) atenolol hctz.
• You may not be able to take HCTZ and irbesartan, or you may require adosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any ofthe conditions listed above atenolol hctz.
• HCTZ and irbesartan is in the FDA pregnancy category D atenolol hctz. This means thatit is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby atenolol hctz. When used during the secondand third trimesters of pregnancy, irbesartan can cause injury and even deathof the developing baby atenolol hctz. Do not take this medication if you are pregnant atenolol hctz.
• HCTZ passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant atenolol hctz. It is notknown whether irbesartan passes into breast milk atenolol hctz. Do not take this medicationwithout first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby atenolol hctz.
How should I take HCTZ and irbesartan?
• Take HCTZ and irbesartan exactly as directed by your doctor atenolol hctz. If you donot understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explainthem to you atenolol hctz.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water atenolol hctz.
• HCTZ and irbesartan can be taken with or without food atenolol hctz.
• Stop taking HCTZ and irbesartan and contact your doctor if lightheadednessor fainting occurs atenolol hctz.
• Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor atenolol hctz. If you stop taking this medication suddenly, your condition could become worse atenolol hctz.
• Store HCTZ and irbesartan at room temperature away from moisture andheat atenolol hctz.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember atenolol hctz. However, if it is almosttime for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularlyscheduled dose atenolol hctz. Do not take a double dose of this medication atenolol hctz.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention atenolol hctz.
• Symptoms of an overdose of HCTZ and irbesartan are not well known butmay include dizziness, weakness, fainting, fatigue, low blood pressure, andchanges in heart rate atenolol hctz.
What should I avoid while taking HCTZ and irbesartan?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities atenolol hctz. HCTZ and irbesartan may cause dizziness or drowsiness atenolol hctz. If you experiencedizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities atenolol hctz. Also, use caution when risingfrom a sitting or lying position atenolol hctz.
• Stop taking HCTZ and irbesartan and contact your doctor if lightheadednessor fainting occurs atenolol hctz.
• Use alcohol cautiously atenolol hctz. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizzinessthat may occur while you are taking HCTZ and irbesartan atenolol hctz.
• Avoid a diet high in salt atenolol hctz. Too much salt may cause your body to retainwater atenolol hctz. Talk to your doctor before making changes in your diet atenolol hctz.
• Do not use salt substitutes or take potassium supplements without firsttalking to your doctor atenolol hctz. HCTZ and irbesartan can affect potassium levels in yourbody atenolol hctz.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight atenolol hctz. HCTZ and irbesartan may increasethe sensitivity of your skin to sunlight atenolol hctz. Use a sunscreen and wear protectiveclothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable atenolol hctz.
• Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather atenolol hctz. It is easy to become dangerouslydehydrated while you are taking HCTZ and irbesartan atenolol hctz.
What are the possible side effects of HCTZ and irbesartan?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingthis medication and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· fast heartbeats;
· little or no urine;
· unusual fatigue, abnormal bleeding or bruising;
· yellow skin or eyes;
· confusion; or
· fainting atenolol hctz.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur atenolol hctz. Continueto take the medication and talk to your doctor if you experience
· dizziness;
· nausea or upset stomach;
· diarrhea;
· headache;
· cough;
· muscle pain or cramps;
· rash; or
· anxiety or nervousness atenolol hctz.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur atenolol hctz. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome atenolol hctz.
What other drugs will affect HCTZ and irbesartan?
• Before taking HCTZ and irbesartan, tell your doctor if you are taking
· a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others;
· a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor),spironolactone (Aldactone), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide);
· a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin,Advil, Nuprin), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), diclofenac (Cataflam,Voltaren), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro),naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), and others;
· an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide(Micronase, Glynase, Diabeta), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolazamide (Tolinase),or tolbutamide (Orinase);
· a steroid medicine such as prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone, others),methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Pediapred, Prelone), and others;
· cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
· lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others); or
· digoxin (Lanoxin) atenolol hctz.
• You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatmentif you are taking any of the medicines listed above atenolol hctz.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with HCTZ and irbesartanor affect your condition atenolol hctz. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines atenolol hctz.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about HCTZ and irbesartanwritten for health professionals that you may read atenolol hctz.
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