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| Pronunciation |
|
 (ir
be SAR tan & hye droe klor oh
THYE a zide) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Avalide® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antihypertensive Agent, Combination |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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- Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. Use during the second
and third trimester (more than 12 weeks pregnant) can cause harm to the baby you
are carrying. Call healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant. Your
medicine will need to be
changed.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to another thiazide, a sulfonamide drug,
hydrochlorothiazide, irbesartan, or any other part of the medicine. If you are
allergic to another angiotensin receptor antagonist, talk with healthcare
provider.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Disease of the vessels
(arteries) that take blood to the kidney, primary hyperaldosteronism, severe
kidney disease.
- If you are more than 12 weeks
pregnant.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat high blood
pressure.
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| How does it work? |
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- Irbesartan lowers blood pressure by preventing a strong chemical in
the body from increasing blood pressure.
- Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) lowers blood pressure and can act to get
rid of extra salt and water in the body by acting on the
kidneys.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Take at a similar time every day. Taking medicine earlier in the day
will prevent getting up at night to use the bathroom.
- Follow diet plan (low salt) as recommended by healthcare
provider.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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|
- Wear disease medical alert identification for high blood pressure.
- Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor). May increase
blood pressure.
- Not for use in kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Watch for gout attacks. If you have sudden pain in a single joint,
like the toe, talk with healthcare provider.
- You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen;
wear protective clothing and eyewear.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that
require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Low potassium. This may make you feel tired, weak, or have numbness,
tingling, muscle cramps, constipation, vomiting, or rapid heartbeats. May
require taking supplements and/or eating foods rich in potassium. Talk with
healthcare provider.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check blood pressure regularly.
- Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare
provider.
- Check blood work (potassium). Talk with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Severe headache.
- Signs of low potassium (see above). Can lead to serious heartbeat
problems.
- Any rash.
- If you become pregnant while on this
medicine.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins,
over-the-counter) medicines with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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