Hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan

Generic name: Hydrochlorothiazide And Irbesartan
Brand names: Avalide
Dosage form: oral tablet (12.5 mg-150 mg; 12.5 mg-300 mg)
Drug class: Angiotensin II inhibitors with thiazides

Usage of Hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (water pill). Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (sometimes called an ARB blocker).

Hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan side effects

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

In rare cases, hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

eye pain, vision problems;

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

little or no urinating;

jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

easy bruising, unusual bleeding; or

signs of an electrolyte imbalance--increased thirst or urination, confusion, vomiting, constipation, muscle pain or weakness, leg cramps, bone pain, lack of energy, irregular heartbeats, tingly feeling.

Common side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan may include:

dizziness;

muscle or joint pain; or

feeling tired.

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 Hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan

You should not use hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan if you are allergic to irbesartan or hydrochlorothiazide, or:

if you are unable to urinate; or

if you are allergic to sulfa drugs.

If you have diabetes, do not use hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

You may also need to avoid taking hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

liver disease;

congestive heart failure;

glaucoma;

low or high levels of potassium in your blood;

asthma or allergies;

high cholesterol or triglyceride levels;

gout;

lupus;

diabetes; or

an allergy to penicillin.

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

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Relate drugs

How to use Hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial therapy: Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg-Irbesartan 150 mg orally once a day; may increase after 1 to 2 weeks.Add-on/Replacement therapy: Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 to 25 mg-Irbesartan 150 to 300 mg orally once a dayMaximum dose: Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg-Irbesartan 300 mg orally once a dayComments:-The recommended doses in order of increasing mean effect are (hydrochlorothiazide-irbesartan): 12.5 mg-150 mg, 12.5 mg-300 mg, 25 mg-300 mg; the largest incremental effect will likely be from monotherapy to 12.5 mg-150 mg.-Maximum antihypertensive effect is attained within 2 to 4 weeks after a change in dose.

Warnings

You should not use this medicine if you are unable to urinate, or if you are allergic to sulfa drugs.

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

If you have diabetes, do not use hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

What other drugs will affect Hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan

If you also take cholestyramine or colestipol, take your hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan dose 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take the other medicine.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

Carbamazepine;

insulin or oral diabetes medicine;

lithium; 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 affect hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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