Tekturna HCT contains a combination of hydrochlorothiazide and aliskiren. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention. 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.
Tekturna HCT is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Tekturna HCT may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
You should not use Tekturna HCT if you are unable to urinate, or if you are allergic to sulfa drugs.
Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
If you have diabetes, you should not use Tekturna HCT together with certain heart or blood pressure medicines (such as Accupril, Benicar, Capoten, Cozaar, Diovan, Lotensin, Mavik, Prinivil, Vasotec, and many others).
Before you take Tekturna HCT, tell your doctor if you have asthma, low or high levels of potassium in your blood, kidney or liver disease, glaucoma, gout, lupus, diabetes, or an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin.
You should not use Tekturna HCT if you are allergic to aliskiren or hydrochlorothiazide, if you are unable to urinate, or if you are also using itraconazole (Sporanox) or cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune). FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Tekturna HCT if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Tekturna HCT, unless your doctor has told you to. 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.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Tekturna HCT if you are allergic to aliskiren or hydrochlorothiazide, or if:
If you have diabetes, you should not use Tekturna HCT together with certain heart or blood pressure medicines, such as:
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azilsartan (Edarbi, Edarbyclor), candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar), olmesartan (Azar, Benicar), valsartan (Diovan, Exforge, Tribenzor), telmisartan (Micardis); or
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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 Tekturna HCT if you have kidney disease.
To make sure Tekturna HCT is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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kidney disease;
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low or high levels of potassium in your blood;
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asthma or allergies;
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systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE);
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glaucoma;
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liver disease;
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gout;
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diabetes; or
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an allergy to penicillin.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Tekturna HCT can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
It is not known whether Tekturna HCT passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Do not give Tekturna HCT to anyone under 18 years old without medical advice.
How should I take Tekturna HCT?
Take Tekturna HCT 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.
You may take this medicine with or without food, but take it the same way every time.
You may have very low blood pressure while taking Tekturna HCT. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you feel light-headed.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
It may take up to 4 weeks before your blood pressure improves. 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 medicine for the rest of your life.
If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Tekturna HCT. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store Tekturna HCT at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep the tablets in their original container, along with the packet or canister of moisture-absorbing preservative.
Tekturna HCT dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
Initial dose: 150 mg-12.5 mg or 150 mg-25 mg once daily
Maximum dose: Aliskiren-hydrochlorothiazide 300/25 mg orally daily
Comments:
-The combination product may be substituted for patients receiving aliskiren and hydrochlorothiazide 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).
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.
What should I avoid while taking Tekturna HCT?
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking this medicine, unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid taking this medicine with a high-fat meal, which can make it harder for your body to absorb aliskiren.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can further lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of Tekturna HCT.
Tekturna HCT side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Tekturna HCT: hives; vomiting, severe stomach pain; dizziness, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
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little or no urinating;
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eye pain, vision problems;
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low levels of sodium in the body--headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;
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high potassium--slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling;
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low potassium--confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling;
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lupus-like symptoms--joint pain with fever, skin sores, butterfly-shaped skin rash on your cheeks and nose, numbness or pale appearance of your fingers or toes;
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liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
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severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
Common Tekturna HCT side effects may include:
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dizziness, tired feeling;
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cough;
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diarrhea; or
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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.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Tekturna HCT?
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Tekturna HCT, especially:
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antifungal medicine;
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any heart or blood pressure medicines;
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a barbiturate--amobarbital, phenobarbital, secobarbital and others;
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a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);
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cholesterol medicine--atorvastatin (Lipitor), cholestyramine or colestipol;
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cyclosporine;
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a diuretic or "water pill";
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insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
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lithium;
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a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con;
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salt substitutes that contain potassium; or
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NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with hydrochlorothiazide and aliskiren, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
