axert avapro
Irbesartan (er beh SAR tan)
What is the most important information I should know about Avapro?
• Do not take Avapro if you are pregnant or could become pregnant duringtreatment axert avapro. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, Avaprocan cause injury and even death to the developing fetus axert avapro. Notify your doctorimmediately if you think you might be pregnant axert avapro.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities axert avapro. Avapro may cause dizziness or drowsiness axert avapro. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities axert avapro. Also use caution when rising from a sittingor lying position axert avapro.
• Use alcohol cautiously axert avapro. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure andincrease drowsiness and dizziness while taking Avapro axert avapro.
What is Avapro?
• Avapro is in a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists axert avapro. Avapro prevents the constriction (narrowing) of blood vessels (veins and arteries) axert avapro.
• Avapro is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabeticnephropathy (kidney disease caused by diabetes) axert avapro.
• Avapro may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide axert avapro.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Avapro?
• Before taking Avapro, tell your doctor if you
· have kidney disease;
· have liver disease;
· are on a salt-restricted diet or have high levels of potassium in yourblood; or
· are taking a potassium supplement (e.g., K-Dur, Klor-Con, others),or a potassium-sparing diuretic such as amiloride (Midamor), triamterene (Dyrenium,Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone) axert avapro.
• You may not be able to take Avapro, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove axert avapro.
• Avapro is in the FDA pregnancy category D axert avapro. This means that it is knownto be harmful to an unborn baby axert avapro. When used during the second and third trimestersof pregnancy, Avapro can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus axert avapro. Do not take Avapro if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment
• It is not known whether Avapro passes into breast milk axert avapro. Do not take Avaprowithout first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby axert avapro.
How should I take Avapro?
• Take Avapro exactly as directed by your doctor axert avapro. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you axert avapro.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water axert avapro.
• You can take Avapro with or without food axert avapro.
• Your doctor may want to monitor your blood pressure or perform othertests to monitor the effects of this medication axert avapro.
• Do not stop taking Avapro without first talking to your doctor axert avapro. If youstop taking the medication, your condition could become worse axert avapro.
• Store Avapro at room temperature away from moisture and heat axert avapro.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember axert avapro. However, if it is almosttime for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularlyscheduled dose axert avapro. Do not take a double dose of this medication axert avapro.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention axert avapro.
• Symptoms of an Avapro overdose are not well known, but might includedizziness, weakness, fainting, fatigue, and chest pain axert avapro.
What should I avoid while taking Avapro?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities axert avapro. Avapro may cause dizziness or drowsiness axert avapro. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities axert avapro. Also use caution when rising from a sittingor lying position axert avapro.
• Use alcohol cautiously axert avapro. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure andincrease drowsiness and dizziness while taking Avapro axert avapro.
• Do not use salt substitutes or take potassium supplements without firsttalking to your doctor axert avapro. Avapro can affect potassium levels in the body axert avapro.
What are the possible side effects of Avapro?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingAvapro and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or
· little or no urine axert avapro.
• Other side effects are less serious axert avapro. Continue to take Avapro and talkto your doctor if you experience
· diarrhea or upset stomach;
· swelling;
· muscle pain, cramps, or backache;
· dizziness;
· headache;
· insomnia; or
· congestion or cough (very unlikely) axert avapro.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur axert avapro. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome axert avapro.
What other drugs will affect Avapro?
• Before taking Avapro, tell your doctor if you
· take a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others;
· take a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor),spironolactone (Aldactone), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide); or
· use a salt substitute axert avapro.
• Avapro can affect potassium levels in the body axert avapro. You may not be able totake Avapro, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring ifyou are taking any of the medicines listed above axert avapro.
• Tell your doctor about any other medicines you take for high blood pressureor other heart conditions axert avapro. Avapro may cause very low blood pressure if it istaken with other heart medications axert avapro.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Avapro or affectyour condition axert avapro. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescriptionor over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products axert avapro.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Avapro written for healthprofessionals that you may read axert avapro.
|
