info on 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 info on avapro. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, Avaprocan cause injury and even death to the developing fetus info on avapro. Notify your doctorimmediately if you think you might be pregnant info on avapro.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities info on avapro. Avapro may cause dizziness or drowsiness info on avapro. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities info on avapro. Also use caution when rising from a sittingor lying position info on avapro.
• Use alcohol cautiously info on avapro. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure andincrease drowsiness and dizziness while taking Avapro info on avapro.
What is Avapro?
• Avapro is in a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists info on avapro. Avapro prevents the constriction (narrowing) of blood vessels (veins and arteries) info on avapro.
• Avapro is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabeticnephropathy (kidney disease caused by diabetes) info on avapro.
• Avapro may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide info on 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) info on 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 info on avapro.
• Avapro is in the FDA pregnancy category D info on avapro. This means that it is knownto be harmful to an unborn baby info on avapro. When used during the second and third trimestersof pregnancy, Avapro can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus info on 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 info on avapro. Do not take Avaprowithout first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby info on avapro.
How should I take Avapro?
• Take Avapro exactly as directed by your doctor info on avapro. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you info on avapro.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water info on avapro.
• You can take Avapro with or without food info on avapro.
• Your doctor may want to monitor your blood pressure or perform othertests to monitor the effects of this medication info on avapro.
• Do not stop taking Avapro without first talking to your doctor info on avapro. If youstop taking the medication, your condition could become worse info on avapro.
• Store Avapro at room temperature away from moisture and heat info on avapro.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember info on avapro. However, if it is almosttime for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularlyscheduled dose info on avapro. Do not take a double dose of this medication info on avapro.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention info on avapro.
• Symptoms of an Avapro overdose are not well known, but might includedizziness, weakness, fainting, fatigue, and chest pain info on avapro.
What should I avoid while taking Avapro?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities info on avapro. Avapro may cause dizziness or drowsiness info on avapro. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities info on avapro. Also use caution when rising from a sittingor lying position info on avapro.
• Use alcohol cautiously info on avapro. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure andincrease drowsiness and dizziness while taking Avapro info on avapro.
• Do not use salt substitutes or take potassium supplements without firsttalking to your doctor info on avapro. Avapro can affect potassium levels in the body info on 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 info on avapro.
• Other side effects are less serious info on 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) info on avapro.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur info on avapro. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome info on 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 info on avapro.
• Avapro can affect potassium levels in the body info on 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 info on avapro.
• Tell your doctor about any other medicines you take for high blood pressureor other heart conditions info on avapro. Avapro may cause very low blood pressure if it istaken with other heart medications info on avapro.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Avapro or affectyour condition info on avapro. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescriptionor over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products info on avapro.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Avapro written for healthprofessionals that you may read info on avapro.
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