Irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide (By mouth)

Introduction:

Hydrochlorothiazide (hye-droe-klor-oh-THYE-a-zide), Irbesartan (ir-be-SAR-tan)

Treats high blood pressure. This medicine is a combination of an antihypertensive (blood pressure medicine) and a diuretic ("water pill").

Brand Name(s):

Avalide

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to irbesartan, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), or a sulfa drug. You should not use this medicine if you are not able to urinate.

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • You may take this medicine with or without food.

If a dose is missed:

  • If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
  • Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are using lithium, digoxin (Lanoxin®), or a diuretic ("water pill") such as amiloride, furosemide, triamterene, Lasix®, or Maxzide®. Your doctor will need to know if you are using a pain or arthritis medicine such as aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Ecotrin®, or Motrin®. Make sure your doctor knows if you are using any other medicine to lower blood pressure. Some other blood pressure medicines are atenolol, lisinopril, metoprolol, quinapril, Accupril®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Lotrel®, Norvasc®, Toprol®, and Zestril®.
  • Tell your doctor if you are using muscle relaxers, a medicine to lower cholesterol (cholestyramine, Questran®), or a steroid medicine such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Medrol®. Make sure your doctor knows if you are using a diabetes medicine such as glyburide, glipizide, metformin, Actos®, Amaryl®, Avandia®, Glucophage®, Glucotrol®, or Glucovance®. Tell your doctor if you are using any narcotic pain relievers or sleeping pills.
  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Using this medicine while you are pregnant (especially in your second or third trimester) can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are breast-feeding, or if you have lupus, heart failure, or a history of asthma or allergies. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, gout, liver disease, or kidney disease.
  • Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
  • Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
  • This medicine may raise or lower your blood sugar, or it may cover up symptoms of very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
  • This medicine may make you dizzy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
  • Dizziness may be worse if you lose too much water from your body. You can lose water by sweating, having diarrhea, or vomiting. Tell your doctor if this medicine makes you dizzy or if you are vomiting or have diarrhea.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.
  • Change in how much or how often you urinate.
  • Chest pain.
  • Confusion, weakness, and muscle twitching.
  • Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps.
  • Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.
  • Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach.
  • Lightheadedness or fainting.
  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Tiredness.
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