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