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