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