Aliskiren

Generic name: Aliskiren
Brand names: Tekturna
Dosage form: oral tablet (150 mg; 300 mg)
Drug class: Renin inhibitors

Usage of Aliskiren

Aliskiren is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in people who are at least 6 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds (50 kg).

Aliskiren may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Aliskiren side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Aliskiren may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

kidney problems--swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath; or

high blood potassium--nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement.

Common side effects of aliskiren may include:

diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Aliskiren

You should not take aliskiren if you are allergic to it.

If you have diabetes, do not take aliskiren together with certain heart or blood pressure medicines, such as:

azilsartan, candesartan, eprosartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan, telmisartan, or valsartan; or

benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, or trandolapril.

Do not give aliskiren to children younger than 2 years old.

You may also need to avoid taking these heart or blood pressure medicines with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

an allergic reaction to any blood pressure medicine;

heart problems;

diabetes;

if you are on a low-salt diet; or

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Aliskiren can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you use the medicine during your second or third trimester.

Do not breastfeed.

Relate drugs

How to use Aliskiren

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial: 150 mg orally once a dayMaintenance: the dosage may be increased to 300 mg daily if blood pressure is not adequately controlled.Comments:-The antihypertensive effect is substantially attained by 2 weeks.-Tablets should be taken the same way each day, either with or without a meal. (High-fat meals decrease absorption of aliskiren substantially).Aliskiren may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension:

6 TO 17 YEARS:Less than 20 kg: Not recommended20 to 50 kg (not approved for use due to the lack of an appropriate dosage form): 75 mg orally once a day; if blood pressure remains inadequately controlled, the daily dose may be increased to 150 mg50 kg or greater: 150 mg orally once a day; if blood pressure remains inadequately controlled, the daily dose may be increased to 300 mgComments: The antihypertensive effect of a given dose is 85% to 90% attained by 2 weeks.

Warnings

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using aliskiren and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

What other drugs will affect Aliskiren

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect aliskiren, especially:

any other heart or blood pressure medicines;

cyclosporine;

itraconazole;

a diuretic or "water pill"; or

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect aliskiren. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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