Avalide (irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide)

Avalide Description

Avalide is the brand name for the drug combination of irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Avalide received FDA (Food and Drug Administration of USA) approval in September 1997. It is currently available under other market names such as Avapro Karvea, and Aprovel.

Conditions Treated By Avalide

Avalide is a combination drug of irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide medicines. HCTZ is part of a category called angiotensin II blockers that are useful in managing hypertension and lowering it. Irbesartan does this by relaxing the blood vessels. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic meaning they work on the kidneys and lower the excess salt and water by increasing the frequency of urination. This category of drugs is also known as ‘water tablets/pills.’ This mechanism of draining excess salt and water also helps to lower elevated blood pressure. Avalide is prescribed to patients with hypertension. Avalide is particularly useful on patients for whom other drugs have been less effective or have caused too many side effects.

Avalide Dosage Information

a.) Typical Dosage Recommendations

Avalide is an oral drug, available in tablets of varied doses. Avalide contains 150 mg of irbesartan in combination with 12.5 mg of hydrochlorothiazide or a higher dose of 300 mg of irbesartan along with 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide. There are other inactive constituents of the tablets such as croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, ferric oxide yellow, ferric oxide red, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, pregelatinized starch and silicon dioxide. This medication is usually given to a patient when other single drug therapies are not effective enough. Therefore, depending upon the severity Avalide dosage might be prescribed. It is better to take the tablet at the same time, so that the body establishes a rhythm with the absorption of the drug. Avalide is not required to be taken with food.

b.) Missing A Dose

It is recommended that Avalide be taken at a certain time in the day such as immediately after breakfast or just before going to bed at night. This not only helps to adjust the drug to the body but also avoids the chances of non-adherence and missed doses. In case a dose of Avalide is missed but the patient realizes it within twelve hours then the tablet should be taken immediately. However when it is more than 12 hours, it could be too close to the next dose. Therefore in such cases it is best to move over to the next dosage. A dose should never be doubled to compensate for a missed one as it can lead to overdosing.

c.) Overdosing

Overdosing can have serious consequences and most of the times, it requires for emergency medical assistance. There are some indications of an overdose such as drop in blood pressure, feeling light-headed or sudden giddiness. In such situations it is best to seek immediate help.

Avalide Warnings

Avalide is strictly prohibited during pregnancy as the medicines can have an adverse effect on the baby. Furthermore, the drug is also not recommended for nursing mothers as the constituents of this drug could enter the breast milk and affect the baby. Avalide is not a pediatric drug, as its effect on children is still not adequately researched. Those patients, who have any kind of allergies, must notify the doctor before they take Avalide as is the general protocol. Further, patients having existing kidney or liver disorders must generally avoid this drug as it is a diuretic and may cause strain on these organs, leading to complications. Similarly people with high potassium level in their blood must not take Avalide. Those with a recent history of gout, pancreatitis, lupus or heart disease must exercise caution when taking Avalide. Alcohol must be avoided when taking this medication , especially soon after the drug has been taken. Potassium and sodium supplements must not be taken with this drug, unless specifically prescribed. Patients taking Avalide must avoid excessive heat or dehydration.

Avalide Side Effects

Most medicines will have certain side effects. A side effect is nothing but an unwanted change occurring as an outcome of consuming a drug in normal doses. Every person’s body is unique therefore the response to a drug might vary. While some side effects might be temporary until the body gets used to the drug, others might last long and cause discomfort or complications, in which case the dosage or medicine might have to be altered. Avalide has the following side effects. These are considered minor and are often short-term in nature affecting a small minority. Certain home remedies or lifestyle modifications can also prove beneficial in coping with these.

• Fatigue
  • Stomach and digestion problems such as acidity
  • Cough or cold like symptoms
  • Loose motions
  • Muscular aches and pains
  • Joint and bone pains
  • Feeling light-headed
  • Headache
  • Being sensitive to sunlight
  • Itchiness or rashes on skin
  • Swelling on the limbs
  • Swelling of mouth, face, tongue or lips
  • Breathlessness
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Throat related problems
  • Unexpected rashes or spots on skin
  • Feeling giddy
  • Bruising or bleeding that is not expected or ordinary
  • Restlessness and anxiety
  • Barbiturate Medication:
    • amobarbital (Amytal)
    • butabarbital (Butisol)
    • mephobarbital (Mebaral)
    • secobarbital (Seconal)
    • Phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)

Apart from these, Avalide might have other more serious side effects that require medical attention in detail.

Drug Interactions With Avalide

It is quite common for two drugs to interact. That is why due medical advice is necessary when starting a drug regime. There might be dosage adjustments needed to avoid side effects. Avalide interacts with the following drugs:

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• Steroid Medication:
  • Deltasone (prednisone)

• lithium (Eskalith)
• cholestyramine (Questran)

This is not a complete list of all medications that may interact with Atacand HCT. Please notify all of your health care providers about the prescription and over-the-counter medications you currently take. This should include a complete list of all vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a treatment of a new medicine without properly notifying your primary health care professional or doctor.

If you have any questions about buying discount Avalide online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.