• Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. Use during pregnancy can cause birth defects. If you become pregnant or plan on getting pregnant while taking this medicine, call healthcare provider right away.
• This medicine does not mix well with some medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.
• If you have an allergy to aliskiren, hydrochlorothiazide, or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you have a sulfonamide ("sulfa") allergy, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have severe kidney disease.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
• Aliskiren lowers blood pressure by decreasing production of a strong chemical in the body.
• Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) lowers blood pressure and gets rid of extra salt and water in the body through the kidneys.
• Take this medicine early in the day to avoid sleep problems.
• Take this medicine at a similar time of day.
• Take this medicine with or without food, but be consistent. Always take with food or always take on an empty stomach.
• Avoid taking this medicine with high-fat meals.
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Check blood work (potassium, kidney function). Talk with healthcare provider.
• Check blood pressure regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.
• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Created: 2008-02-21 15:59:45.0
Modified: 2010-04-06 12:50:07.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• Wear disease medical alert identification.
• If you have diabetes, this medicine may sometimes raise blood sugars. Talk with healthcare provider about how to adjust for this.
• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• If you are taking potassium-containing salt substitutes, potassium-sparing diuretics, or potassium supplements, talk with healthcare provider.
• Talk with healthcare provider before using over-the-counter products that may increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain natural products or supplements.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
• Watch for gout attacks.
• Be careful in hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.
• Diarrhea.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Cough.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Severe dizziness or passing out.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Excessive perspiration, dehydration, vomiting, or diarrhea. May lead to low blood pressure.
• Persistent cough.
• Significant weight gain.
• Swelling of legs or belly.
• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
• Unable to pass urine.
• For females, if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
