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.

Hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away.

You should not use this medicine if you are unable to urinate, or if you are allergic to sulfa drugs.

If you have diabetes, do not use hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (such as Tekturna or Tekamlo).

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to irbesartan or hydrochlorothiazide, or if:

• you are unable to urinate; or

• you are allergic to sulfa drugs.

If you have diabetes, do not use hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (such as Tekturna or Tekamlo).

You may also need to avoid taking hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

To make sure hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;

• congestive heart failure;

• glaucoma;

• low or high levels of potassium in your blood;

• asthma or allergies;

• high cholesterol or triglyceride levels;

• gout;

• lupus;

• diabetes; or

• an allergy to penicillin.

Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away. Hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

Hydrochlorothiazide can pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in the nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

If you also take cholestyramine or colestipol, avoid taking these medications within 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan.

Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may cause side effects.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan, unless your doctor has told you to.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial therapy: Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg-Irbesartan 150 mg orally once a day; may increase after 1 to 2 weeks.

Add-on/Replacement therapy: Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 to 25 mg-Irbesartan 150 to 300 mg orally once a day

Maximum dose: Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg-Irbesartan 300 mg orally once a day

Comments:
-The recommended doses in order of increasing mean effect are (hydrochlorothiazide-irbesartan): 12.5 mg-150 mg, 12.5 mg-300 mg, 25 mg-300 mg; the largest incremental effect will likely be from monotherapy to 12.5 mg-150 mg.
-Maximum antihypertensive effect is attained within 2 to 4 weeks after a change in dose.

Initial therapy: Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg-Irbesartan 150 mg orally once a day; may increase after 1 to 2 weeks.

Add-on/Replacement therapy: Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 to 25 mg-Irbesartan 150 to 300 mg orally once a day

Maximum dose: Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg-Irbesartan 300 mg orally once a day

Comments:
-The recommended doses in order of increasing mean effect are (hydrochlorothiazide-irbesartan): 12.5 mg-150 mg, 12.5 mg-300 mg, 25 mg-300 mg; the largest incremental effect will likely be from monotherapy to 12.5 mg-150 mg.
-Maximum antihypertensive effect is attained within 2 to 4 weeks after a change in dose.