Generic Avalide i.e. Irbesartan tablets is a combination of hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan. Actually, Avalide is a combination angiotensin II receptor blocker and diuretic. Avalide is used to treat high blood pressure i.e. hypertension. However, Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic i.e. water pill, that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention. And Irbesartan is in a group of drugs known as ‘Angiotensin II receptor antagonists’. The main function of Irbesartan is to keep blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

However, before taking Irbesartan i.e. Avalide medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. Talk to your doctor about all the possible risks of taking Avalide medication. However, Avalide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Hence, for more information, consult your doctor and your medical pharmacist.

Follow the directions given by the doctor exactly for the usage of the Avalide i.e. Irbesartan medication and also read the prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

Take the Avalide i.e. Irbesartan medication usually once daily orally or take it as directed by your doctor. And to help you remember, take the medicine at the same time each day. However, you may take this drug with or without food. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Drink adequate fluids to prevent from becoming dehydrated. If you are on restricted fluid intake consult your doctor for further instructions.

Remember, not to take potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first. This medicine can infrequently raise or lower your potassium blood levels which rarely can cause serious side effects such as muscle weakness, cramping or very slow heartbeats. Tell your doctor immediately if these effects occur. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

Usually, for the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take 2-4 weeks before the full benefit of this drug occurs. And hence, it is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. If you are also taking cholestyramine or colestipol take Irbesartan / hydrochlorothiazide at least 2 hours before either of these drugs.

If you wish to use the medication for your children, please contact your pediatrician for the dosage.

If you notice any of the symptoms, which seem severe or persistent to you, please contact your doctor immediately. However, your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects and alter the doses if necessary.

You may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, stomach upset or heartburn as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur, such as, unusual thirst, weakness, confusion, fast heartbeat, chest pain, fainting, decreased sexual ability. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: unusual change in the amount of urine after the first several days of starting this drug seizures, stomach/abdominal pain, severe nausea, yellowing eyes or skin dark urine, unusual fatigue. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include, rashes, itching, swelling especially of the face, lips, tongue or throat, severe dizziness, trouble in breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or some new side effects occur which appear too bothersome to you.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form and also inform your doctor about any other medication you may be taking in any other form, as they may affect the way your medicine works.

However, the Avalide i.e. Irbesartan drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur, such as, Cisapride dofetilide. If you are currently using any of these medications tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Irbesartan / hydrochlorothiazide. Before using this medication tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use especially of: amiloride, antidiabetic drugs e.g. insulin, glipizide, cholestyramine, colestipol, corticosteroids, e.g. prednisone, diazoxide, digoxin drugs which can increase dizziness, e.g. phenobarbital, narcotic analgesics drugs which are affected by the acid level in the urine, e.g. amphetamine, methenamine, quinidine, lithium, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs e.g. ibuprofen, indomethacin, potassium supplements e.g. potassium chloride or salt substitutes, probenecid. Check the labels on all your medicines e.g. cough-and-cold products diet aids because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Moreover, Avalide i.e. Irbesartan may also interact with some kind of foods, varied medications, herbal products, nutritional supplements, vitamins, other OTC medicines etc. Acquire more information about the interactions of the Avalide medication from your doctor and the medical pharmacists.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

However, symptoms of overdose may include fainting, unusually fast or slow heartbeat, severe dizziness etc.

Do not allow any other person to use your medication without getting doctor’s prescription themselves and also avoid using this medicine for other health conditions on your own. Keep the medicine away from the children and pets.

Also inform your doctor, if you are pregnant or are breast feeding. If you conceive during the course, inform your doctor immediately. Do not share your medicines with anyone, even if they have the same symptoms, for it may harm them. Do not begin, increase, decrease, or stop using this medicine on your own.

Remember, it is very important to keep regular appointments with your doctor to study the way your body is responding to the course. And if you are going to have a surgery, tell your health care professional that you are taking Avalide medication.

However, lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you. Laboratory and/or medical tests e.g. kidney function, potassium blood level should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home by discussing this with your doctor.

And in case, if you wish to use the medicine in children, please contact your pediatrician for sure before its use.

If you missed the dose, do take the medicine immediately provided that there is ample of time in between the next dose. However, if it is almost time for the next dose skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Never double your doses to cope up with the missed. And in case, if you miss your one or two consecutive doses consult to your doctor or physician for guidance and continue further.

The generic Avalide i.e. Irbesartan medication is used to treat high blood pressure i.e. hypertension. This medication is a combination of two drugs an angiotensin receptor blocker and a thiazide water pill/diuretic. Irbesartan blocks the hormone angiotensin thereby relaxing blood vessels causing them to widen. The thiazide diuretic increases the amount of urine you make therefore decreasing excess water and salt in your body. High blood pressure reduction helps prevent strokes heart attacks and kidney problems.

However, it may also be used to treat some other medical conditions which may be determined by your doctor accordingly and consult a pediatrician for the use of this medication in children.

The generic Avalide i.e. Irbesartan medication may be prescribed for other uses also, so ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Avalide i.e. Irbesartan medication.

Generic Avalide i.e. Irbesartan tablets should be stored in between 59-86°F and between 15-30°C in a cool and dry place. Keep the medicine in the container, it came in and always keep it tightly closed. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Do not freeze in any case. Also, keep it away from heat, dampness and direct light. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. When the medicine is not in use or outdated it should be discarded. Take help of your pharmacist in disposing this medicine properly. In any case, do not store the Avalide tablets in the bathroom.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Avalide i.e. Irbesartan:

1. Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had: kidney disease, lung disease, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, low or high blood pressure, asthma, heart attack, gout attacks, urinary problems, inability to make urine or Anuria, severe loss of body fluids dehydration through excessive sweating, vomiting or diarrhea, mineral/electrolyte problems e.g. imbalance of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, diabetes, gout, lupus, high levels of fats in the blood, high cholesterol or triglycerides, asthma, any allergies especially to sulfa drugs or ACE inhibitors such as captopril lisinopril or any other severe disease etc. Also inform, if you drink alcoholic beverages or smoke.

2. Also acknowledge your doctor if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctors immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Avalide medication or stop it during the surgery.

3. Let the doctor also know, if you are in-taking or are planning to take any prescribed or non prescribed medicines, health supplements or any other OTC medications, vitamins etc. However, do not use the OTC medications, which may include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain herbs or supplements.

4. Do not use the Avalide i.e. Irbesartan medication, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated.

5. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Avalide medication. Hence also, inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course.

6. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. And if your symptoms of side effects do not improve in few weeks or if they become worse and bothersome, check these conditions immediately with your doctor.

7. Please, use the Avalide medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time. Do not discontinue on your own and consult your doctor before doing so to avoid further problems.

8. Regularly, keep your appointments with your doctor and keep an eye on the progress or side effects that has been noticed during the complete course. And also wear disease medical alert identification for high blood pressure.

9. Also, avoid smoking and consuming alcohol and alcohol containing beverages during the complete course as this drug may make you dizzy and hence use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. However, caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug especially the dizziness effect.

10. Hydrochlorothiazide may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure tanning booths or sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.

11. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during the first three months of pregnancy. It is not recommended for use during the last six months of the pregnancy due to the risk for fetal harm. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

12. Hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended due to the potential harm to the nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

13. For more information, contact your doctor and your pharmacists and also discuss the risks and benefits of the generic Avalide.