AVALIDE (IRBESARTAN/HCTZ)

Ask Your Doctor About Avalide to Reduce Blood Pressure

Avalide is an oral medication that is taken by patients with high blood pressure, a condition that is also known as hypertension. Avalide is a combination of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist called Irbesartan and a thiazide diuretic known as Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). You will need a prescription from your doctor to purchase Avalide.

Taking Avalide or the generic alternative Irbesartan/HCTZ as prescribed can help keep your blood pressure at a more normal and healthy level, but this medication is not a cure for hypertension. You can improve your condition as well by eating healthier, exercising, quit smoking, and limiting your alcohol intake. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

How Avalide Works

Avalide treats hypertension in two ways. First, Irbesartan blocks the receptors in the body that are normally influenced by a hormone called angiotensin II. This relaxes and widens your blood vessels, allowing your blood to flow through with less resistance. Second, HCTZ promotes the reduction of salt and fluid from the bloodstream, lowering the volume in the blood vessels and thus decreasing blood pressure.

The Dangers of Hypertension

Your arteries carry the blood from your heart throughout your body. Blood pressure is the measure of how hard your blood is pushing against the inside of your arteries. Although a certain amount of pressure is needed to carry blood through your body, if that pressure becomes too great, you may develop high blood pressure.

Fortunately, hypertension can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes, but many people are unaware they have hypertension as it has no symptoms. This is why it is important for you to undergo a medical exam annually. Undiagnosed and untreated hypertension can lead to damaged organs, kidney failure, aneurysms, heart failure, strokes, and heart attacks.

Before You Are Prescribed Avalide

Talk to your doctor about your medical history, especially if you have diabetes; asthma; lupus (a disease that affects the immune system); gout; high cholesterol levels; kidney, liver, or heart problems; or if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding as Avalide may be harmful to your unborn or nursing baby.

Your doctor should be informed of any medications you are currently taking before you are prescribed Avalide. This is especially important if you are taking Dofetilide, Aliskiren, medications or products that contain Potassium, or medications or products that could raise your blood pressure, such as stimulants, diet pills, and Ibuprofen.

Precautions for Avalide

Until you know how your body will react to Avalide medication, you should refrain from operating a vehicle or attempting any activities that require you to be alert and steady on your feet. It is important to stay hydrated while taking Avalide so you should drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Keep all of your medications out of children’s reach and away from pets.

Possible Avalide Side Effects

• Dizziness
• Weakness and fatigue
• Heartburn
• Headache
• Muscle pain

You should check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur; hoarseness, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe dizziness.