What Is Aliskiren/amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide?
Amlodipine is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Amlodipine relaxes (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow.
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.
Aliskiren, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). This medicine is usually given after other blood pressure medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
Aliskiren, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide 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 this medicine 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 take this medicine if you are allergic to aliskiren, amlodipine, 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 aliskiren, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
- liver disease;
- heart disease or prior heart attack;
- coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);
- glaucoma;
- asthma or allergies;
- gout;
- systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE);
- an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);
- if you are on a low-salt diet; or
- if you have ever had an allergic reaction to penicillin or a blood pressure medication.
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/amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide Side Effects
Your chest pain may become worse when you first start taking the medicine or when your dose is increased. Tell your doctor if your chest pain is severe or ongoing.
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.
- swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
- headache, dizziness, tired feeling;
- cough;
- diarrhea; or
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
Aliskiren/amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide Interactions
Avoid taking with foods that are high in fat, which can make it harder for your body to absorb aliskiren.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can further lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of this medicine.
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.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with aliskiren, amlodpine, and hydrochlorothiazide, especially:
- antifungal medicine;
- any heart or blood pressure medicines;
- a barbiturate--amobarbital, phenobarbital, secobarbital and others;
- cholesterol medicine--atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), cholestyramine or colestipol;
- cyclosporine;
- a diuretic or "water pill";
- HIV or AIDS medicine (indinavir, ritonavir, and others);
- insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
- lithium;
- narcotic pain medicine (OxyContin, Vicodin, fentanyl, and many others);
- 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/amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide Dosage
You may have very low blood pressure while taking this medicine. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you feel very dizzy.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using aliskiren, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
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.
Store in the original container at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
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.
Aliskiren/amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide Pictures
