Avalide tablets contain a combination of hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention. Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Irbesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.
Avalide is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Avalide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
Do not use Avalide if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
If you have diabetes, do not use Avalide together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of Avalide.
In rare cases, Avalide 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 muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark colored urine.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Avalide if you are allergic to irbesartan or hydrochlorothiazide or if you are unable to urinate.
If you have diabetes, do not use Avalide together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).
You may also need to avoid taking Avalide with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
To make sure Avalide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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liver disease;
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congestive heart failure;
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glaucoma;
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low or high levels of potassium in your blood;
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asthma or allergies;
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high cholesterol or triglyceride levels;
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gout;
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lupus;
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diabetes; or
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an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Avalide if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication 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. Use effective birth control while taking Avalide.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
It is not known whether hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Avalide.
How should I take Avalide?
Take Avalide exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medication, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.
If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Avalide. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
It may take up to 4 weeks for this medication to control your blood pressure. Keep using this medicine 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.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include fast or slow heartbeat, feeling light-headed, or fainting.
What should I avoid?
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of Avalide.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Avalide, unless your doctor has told you to.
Avalide side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Avalide: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
In rare cases, Avalide 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.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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eye pain, vision problems;
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a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
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shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;
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fever;
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little or no urinating;
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jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
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dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, restless feeling, confusion, increased urination, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).
Common Avalide side effects may include:
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.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Avalide?
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Avalide, especially:
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
