Avalide (Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide)

Avalide is used for treating high blood pressure. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Use Avalide as directed by your doctor.

• Avalide may be taken with or without food.
• Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Avalide is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions.
• Avalide may increase the amount of urine or cause you to urinate more often when you first start taking it. To keep this from disturbing your sleep, try to take your dose before 6 pm.
• If you take cholestyramine or colestipol, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take it with Avalide.
• Continue to take Avalide even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.

Avalide is a combination angiotensin II receptor blocker and diuretic. The angiotensin II receptor blocker works by relaxing the blood vessels. Exactly how the diuretic works to decrease blood pressure is unknown, but it helps the kidneys to eliminate fluid and sodium from the body.

If you miss a dose of Avalide, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Store Avalide at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Avalide out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Do not use Avalide if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Avalide or to any other sulfonamide medicine (e.g., sulfamethoxazole);
• you are pregnant;
• you have severe kidney problems or are unable to urinate;
• you are taking dofetilide or ketanserin.

• Avalide may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Avalide with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Avalide may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Report any lightheadedness or fainting to your doctor immediately. Your risk of lightheadedness or fainting may be increased if you experience diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, if you do not drink enough fluids, or if you are on a low-salt diet.
• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel normal. Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
• Avalide may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Avalide. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Avalide before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Your doctor may have also prescribed a potassium supplement for you. If so, follow the dosing carefully. Do not start taking additional potassium on your own or change your diet to include more potassium without first checking with your doctor.
• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.
• Diabetes patients - Avalide may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Avalide may raise your blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.
• Avalide may interfere with certain lab tests, including parathyroid function tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Avalide.
• Lab tests, including kidney function, blood pressure, and blood electrolytes, may be performed while you use Avalide. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Avalide with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Avalide should be used with extreme caution in children; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Avalide may cause birth defects or fetal death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Avalide is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Avalide.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• dizziness; nausea; tiredness; vomiting.

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; confusion; decrease in sexual ability; depression; drowsiness; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; decreased urination; hoarseness; muscle pain, tenderness, or cramps; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; restlessness; seizures; severe or persistent dry mouth; severe or persistent vomiting; shortness of breath; swelling of the arms or legs; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual thirst; unusual tiredness or weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Avalide is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.