Azilsartan

Generic name: Azilsartan Medoxomil
Brand names: Edarbi
Dosage form: oral tablet (40 mg; 80 mg)
Drug class: Angiotensin receptor blockers

Usage of Azilsartan

Azilsartan belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor blocker (sometimes called an ARB). ARB's stop blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Azilsartan is a prescription medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Your doctor may prescribe other medicines for you to take along with azilsartan to treat your high blood pressure.

Azilsartan side effects

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

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

little or no urination; or

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

Common azilsartan side effects 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 Azilsartan

If you have diabetes, do not take azilsartan with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

You may also need to avoid taking this medicine with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium in your blood); or

if you are on a low-salt diet.

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

If you plan to get pregnant, ask your doctor for a safer medicine to use before and during pregnancy. Having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications in the mother and the baby.

You should not breastfeed while taking azilsartan.

Azilsartan is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

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How to use Azilsartan

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

80 mg orally once a day Comments: Consider a starting dose of 40 mg orally once a day for patients on high diuretic doses.

Warnings

If you have diabetes, do not take azilsartan with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

Do not use azilsartan if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to azilsartan medoxomil.

Before you take this medicine, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, an electrolyte imbalance (low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood), congestive heart failure, or if you are dehydrated.

Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of azilsartan. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking this medicine, unless your doctor has told you to.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Visit your doctor regularly.

Keep using azilsartan as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

What other drugs will affect Azilsartan

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

a diuretic (water pill) or other medicines that lower blood pressure; or

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

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with azilsartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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