Tekamlo

Generic name: Aliskiren And Amlodipine
Drug class: Miscellaneous antihypertensive combinations

Usage of Tekamlo

Tekamlo contains a combination of aliskiren and amlodipine. Aliskiren is an anti-hypertensive (blood pressure lowering) medication. It works by decreasing substances in the body that narrow blood vessels and raise blood pressure.

Amlodipine belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers. Amlodipine relaxes (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow.

Tekamlo is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

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

Tekamlo side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Tekamlo: hives; vomiting, severe stomach pain; dizziness, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

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

chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder;

little or no urinating; or

high potassium - slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling.

Common Tekamlo side effects may include:

swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;

dizziness, tired feeling;

cough;

diarrhea;

stomach pain, upset stomach; or

flu symptoms (fever, chills, body aches).

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 Tekamlo

You should not take Tekamlo if you are allergic to aliskiren or amlodipine, or if you are also using cyclosporine or itraconazole.

If you have diabetes, you should not use Tekamlo together with certain heart or blood pressure medicines, such as:

azilsartan (Edarbi, Edarbyclor), Candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar), olmesartan (Azar, Benicar), valsartan (Diovan, Exforge, Tribenzor), Telmisartan (Micardis); or

Benazepril (Lotensin), Captopril (Capoten, Capozide), Enalapril (Vasotec, Vasoretic), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestoretic, Zestril), moexipril (Uniretic, Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril, Accuretic), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik, Tarka).

You may also need to avoid taking these medicines with Tekamlo if you have kidney disease.

To make sure Tekamlo is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

liver disease;

congestive heart failure;

coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);

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

if you are on a low-salt diet; or

if you have ever had an allergic reaction to an ACE inhibitor heart or blood pressure medicine (benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, quinapril, ramipril, trandolapril).

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Tekamlo if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Aliskiren can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control.

It is not known whether aliskiren and amlodipine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using Tekamlo.

Relate drugs

How to use Tekamlo

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial or add-on therapy: 150 mg/5 mg orally once a day. Titrate as needed up to a maximum of 300 mg/10 mg. The blood pressure lowering effect is largely attained within 1 to 2 weeks. Maximum dose: 300 mg/10 mg Comments: -The combination product may be substituted for patients receiving aliskiren and amlodipine from separate tablets. -Tablets should be taken the same way each day, either with or without a meal. (High-fat meals decrease absorption of aliskiren substantially).

Usual Geriatric Dose for Hypertension:

Exposure to aliskiren and amlodipine is increased in elderly patients. Lower initial doses of aliskiren-amlodipine should be considered.

Warnings

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

If you have diabetes, you should not use Tekamlo together with certain heart or blood pressure medicines (such as Accupril, Benicar, Capoten, Cozaar, Diovan, Lotensin, Mavik, Prinivil, Vasotec, and many others).

You should not take Tekamlo if you are also using cyclosporine or itraconazole.

Before you take Tekamlo, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, an electrolyte imbalance (such as low potassium or magnesium), if you are on a low-salt diet, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a blood pressure medication.

Keep using Tekamlo 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.

Disclaimer

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