What Is Aliskiren-hydrochlorothiazide?
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.
Hydrochlorothiazide and aliskiren is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Hydrochlorothiazide and aliskiren may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use this medicine 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 hydrochlorothiazide and aliskiren together with certain heart or blood pressure medicines (such as Accupril, Benicar, Capoten, Cozaar, Diovan, Lotensin, Mavik, Prinivil, Vasotec, and many others).
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to aliskiren or hydrochlorothiazide, or if:
- you are unable to urinate; or
- you are allergic to sulfa drugs.
- azilsartan (Edarbi, Edarbyclor), candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar), olmesartan (Azar, Benicar), valsartan (Diovan, Exforge, Tribenzor), telmisartan (Micardis); or
- 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).
To make sure hydrochlorothiazide and aliskiren is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease;
- low or high levels of potassium in your blood;
- asthma or allergies;
- systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE);
- glaucoma;
- liver disease;
- gout;
- diabetes; or
- an allergy to penicillin.
It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Do not give this medicine to anyone under 18 years old without medical advice.
Aliskiren-hydrochlorothiazide Side Effects
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- little or no urinating;
- eye pain, vision problems;
- low levels of sodium in the body--headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;
- high potassium--slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling;
- low potassium--confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling;
- 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;
- 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
- 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.
- dizziness, tired feeling;
- cough;
- diarrhea; or
- flu symptoms (fever, chills, body aches).
Aliskiren-hydrochlorothiazide Interactions
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 hydrochlorothiazide and aliskiren.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with hydrochlorothiazide and aliskiren, especially:
- antifungal medicine;
- any heart or blood pressure medicines;
- a barbiturate--amobarbital, phenobarbital, secobarbital and others;
- a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);
- cholesterol medicine--atorvastatin (Lipitor), cholestyramine or colestipol;
- cyclosporine;
- a diuretic or "water pill";
- insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
- lithium;
- a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con;
- salt substitutes that contain potassium; or
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.
Aliskiren-hydrochlorothiazide Dosage
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 hydrochlorothiazide and aliskiren. 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 hydrochlorothiazide and aliskiren. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store 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.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
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.
