Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (By Mouth)

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

Treats high blood pressure. This medicine is a combination of an ACE inhibitor 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, or a sulfa drug, if you are not able to urinate, or if you are pregnant.

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 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 leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• 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 also using lithium, digoxin (Lanoxin®), muscle relaxers, diuretics or "water pills" (such as furosemide, Hyzaar®, Lasix®), diabetes medicine (insulin or oral medicine such as glipizide, glyburide, Amaryl®, Actos™, Avandia®, Glucotrol®, Glucophage®), other blood pressure medicine (such as atenolol, metoprolol, Accupril®, Adalat®, Cardura®, Hytrin®, Lotrel®, Procardia®, Toprol®, Zestril®), medicine to lower cholesterol (such as cholestyramine, Questran®), a steroid (such as cortisone, prednisone, Celestone®, Decadron®), or pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, Advil®, Aleve®, Daypro®, Feldene®, Orudis®, Relafen®, Voltaren®).
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Using this medicine while you are pregnant 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 the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, kidney disease, heart failure, gout, asthma, allergies, diabetes, lupus (SLE), or if you are on dialysis.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood 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.
• If you become dehydrated, your blood pressure may drop too low. Some things that may cause this are vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, or not drinking enough water.

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
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat
• Joint pain
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Loss of appetite, unusual weakness

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

• Tiredness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.