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