hctz 25
(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 hctz 25. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, irbesartan cancause injury and even death to the developing baby hctz 25. Notify your doctor immediatelyif you think you might be pregnant hctz 25.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities hctz 25. HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide) and irbesartan may cause dizziness ordrowsiness hctz 25. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities hctz 25. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position hctz 25.
• Stop taking HCTZ and irbesartan and contact your doctor if lightheadednessor fainting occurs hctz 25.
• Use alcohol cautiously hctz 25. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizzinessthat may occur while you are taking an HCTZ and irbesartan hctz 25.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight hctz 25. HCTZ and irbesartan may increasethe sensitivity of your skin to sunlight hctz 25. Use a sunscreen and wear protectiveclothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable hctz 25.
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) hctz 25.
• HCTZ is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) hctz 25. It increases the amount ofwater and salt you lose in your urine and decreases edema (swelling or fluidretention) hctz 25.
• Together, HCTZ and irbesartan are used to reduce hypertension (high bloodpressure) hctz 25.
• HCTZ and irbesartan may also be used for purposes other than those listedin this medication guide hctz 25.
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 hctz 25. You mayhave an allergic reaction to hydrochlorothiazide hctz 25.
• 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) hctz 25.
• 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 hctz 25.
• HCTZ and irbesartan is in the FDA pregnancy category D hctz 25. This means thatit is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby hctz 25. When used during the secondand third trimesters of pregnancy, irbesartan can cause injury and even deathof the developing baby hctz 25. Do not take this medication if you are pregnant hctz 25.
• HCTZ passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant hctz 25. It is notknown whether irbesartan passes into breast milk hctz 25. Do not take this medicationwithout first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby hctz 25.
How should I take HCTZ and irbesartan?
• Take HCTZ and irbesartan exactly as directed by your doctor hctz 25. If you donot understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explainthem to you hctz 25.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water hctz 25.
• HCTZ and irbesartan can be taken with or without food hctz 25.
• Stop taking HCTZ and irbesartan and contact your doctor if lightheadednessor fainting occurs hctz 25.
• Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor hctz 25. If you stop taking this medication suddenly, your condition could become worse hctz 25.
• Store HCTZ and irbesartan at room temperature away from moisture andheat hctz 25.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember hctz 25. However, if it is almosttime for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularlyscheduled dose hctz 25. Do not take a double dose of this medication hctz 25.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention hctz 25.
• 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 hctz 25.
What should I avoid while taking HCTZ and irbesartan?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities hctz 25. HCTZ and irbesartan may cause dizziness or drowsiness hctz 25. If you experiencedizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities hctz 25. Also, use caution when risingfrom a sitting or lying position hctz 25.
• Stop taking HCTZ and irbesartan and contact your doctor if lightheadednessor fainting occurs hctz 25.
• Use alcohol cautiously hctz 25. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizzinessthat may occur while you are taking HCTZ and irbesartan hctz 25.
• Avoid a diet high in salt hctz 25. Too much salt may cause your body to retainwater hctz 25. Talk to your doctor before making changes in your diet hctz 25.
• Do not use salt substitutes or take potassium supplements without firsttalking to your doctor hctz 25. HCTZ and irbesartan can affect potassium levels in yourbody hctz 25.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight hctz 25. HCTZ and irbesartan may increasethe sensitivity of your skin to sunlight hctz 25. Use a sunscreen and wear protectiveclothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable hctz 25.
• Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather hctz 25. It is easy to become dangerouslydehydrated while you are taking HCTZ and irbesartan hctz 25.
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 hctz 25.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur hctz 25. 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 hctz 25.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur hctz 25. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome hctz 25.
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) hctz 25.
• You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatmentif you are taking any of the medicines listed above hctz 25.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with HCTZ and irbesartanor affect your condition hctz 25. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines hctz 25.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about HCTZ and irbesartanwritten for health professionals that you may read hctz 25.
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