how long does hctz last after it is taken

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 how long does hctz last after it is taken. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, irbesartan cancause injury and even death to the developing baby how long does hctz last after it is taken. Notify your doctor immediatelyif you think you might be pregnant how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities how long does hctz last after it is taken. HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide) and irbesartan may cause dizziness ordrowsiness how long does hctz last after it is taken. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities how long does hctz last after it is taken. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Stop taking HCTZ and irbesartan and contact your doctor if lightheadednessor fainting occurs how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Use alcohol cautiously how long does hctz last after it is taken. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizzinessthat may occur while you are taking an HCTZ and irbesartan how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight how long does hctz last after it is taken. HCTZ and irbesartan may increasethe sensitivity of your skin to sunlight how long does hctz last after it is taken. Use a sunscreen and wear protectiveclothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable how long does hctz last after it is taken.

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) how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• HCTZ is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) how long does hctz last after it is taken. It increases the amount ofwater and salt you lose in your urine and decreases edema (swelling or fluidretention) how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Together, HCTZ and irbesartan are used to reduce hypertension (high bloodpressure) how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• HCTZ and irbesartan may also be used for purposes other than those listedin this medication guide how long does hctz last after it is taken.

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 how long does hctz last after it is taken. You mayhave an allergic reaction to hydrochlorothiazide how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• 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) how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• 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 how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• HCTZ and irbesartan is in the FDA pregnancy category D how long does hctz last after it is taken. This means thatit is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby how long does hctz last after it is taken. When used during the secondand third trimesters of pregnancy, irbesartan can cause injury and even deathof the developing baby how long does hctz last after it is taken. Do not take this medication if you are pregnant how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• HCTZ passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant how long does hctz last after it is taken. It is notknown whether irbesartan passes into breast milk how long does hctz last after it is taken. Do not take this medicationwithout first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby how long does hctz last after it is taken.

How should I take HCTZ and irbesartan?
• Take HCTZ and irbesartan exactly as directed by your doctor how long does hctz last after it is taken. If you donot understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explainthem to you how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• HCTZ and irbesartan can be taken with or without food how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Stop taking HCTZ and irbesartan and contact your doctor if lightheadednessor fainting occurs how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor how long does hctz last after it is taken. If you stop taking this medication suddenly, your condition could become worse how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Store HCTZ and irbesartan at room temperature away from moisture andheat how long does hctz last after it is taken.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember how long does hctz last after it is taken. However, if it is almosttime for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularlyscheduled dose how long does hctz last after it is taken. Do not take a double dose of this medication how long does hctz last after it is taken.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• 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 how long does hctz last after it is taken.

What should I avoid while taking HCTZ and irbesartan?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities how long does hctz last after it is taken. HCTZ and irbesartan may cause dizziness or drowsiness how long does hctz last after it is taken. If you experiencedizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities how long does hctz last after it is taken. Also, use caution when risingfrom a sitting or lying position how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Stop taking HCTZ and irbesartan and contact your doctor if lightheadednessor fainting occurs how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Use alcohol cautiously how long does hctz last after it is taken. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizzinessthat may occur while you are taking HCTZ and irbesartan how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Avoid a diet high in salt how long does hctz last after it is taken. Too much salt may cause your body to retainwater how long does hctz last after it is taken. Talk to your doctor before making changes in your diet how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Do not use salt substitutes or take potassium supplements without firsttalking to your doctor how long does hctz last after it is taken. HCTZ and irbesartan can affect potassium levels in yourbody how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight how long does hctz last after it is taken. HCTZ and irbesartan may increasethe sensitivity of your skin to sunlight how long does hctz last after it is taken. Use a sunscreen and wear protectiveclothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather how long does hctz last after it is taken. It is easy to become dangerouslydehydrated while you are taking HCTZ and irbesartan how long does hctz last after it is taken.

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 how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur how long does hctz last after it is taken. 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 how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur how long does hctz last after it is taken. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome how long does hctz last after it is taken.

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) how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatmentif you are taking any of the medicines listed above how long does hctz last after it is taken.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with HCTZ and irbesartanor affect your condition how long does hctz last after it is taken. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines how long does hctz last after it is taken.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about HCTZ and irbesartanwritten for health professionals that you may read how long does hctz last after it is taken.

Copyright 2005 D-S LTD.
All Rights Reserved.