aliskiren-hydrochlorothiazide Oral

This product is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.
This product contains 2 medications. Aliskiren works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Hydrochlorothiazide is called a \"water pill\" (diuretic) and causes your body to get rid of extra salt and water. This effect may increase the amount of urine you make when you first start the medication. It also helps to relax the blood vessels so that blood can flow through the body more easily.
These medications are used together when 1 drug is not controlling your blood pressure. Your doctor may direct you to start taking the individual medications first, and then switch you over to this combination product if this is the best dose combination for you.

How to use aliskiren-hydrochlorothiazide Oral
Read the Patient Information Leaflet available from your pharmacist before you start using this product and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. High-fat foods may cause your body to absorb less of this drug. You may take this medication with or without food, but it is important to choose one way and take this medication the same way with every dose. Also, if you take this drug too close to bedtime, you may need to wake up to urinate. Therefore, it is best to take this medication at least 4 hours before your bedtime. If you have any questions about how and when to take this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. It may take 4 weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug.
If you also take certain drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take this product at least 4 hours before or at least 4 to 6 hours after these medications.
Tell your doctor if your condition worsens (e.g., your routine blood pressure readings increase).

Dizziness, lightheadedness, diarrhea, blurred vision, or cough may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: symptoms of a high potassium blood level (such as muscle weakness, slow/irregular heartbeat).
This product may cause a loss of too much body water (dehydration) and salt/minerals. Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of dehydration or mineral loss, including: very dry mouth, extreme thirst, muscle cramps/weakness, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, confusion, decreased urination.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: joint pain, increased thirst/urination, decrease in vision, eye pain.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: easy bruising/bleeding, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), yellowing eyes/skin, persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, unusual change in the amount of urine (not including the normal increase in urine when you first start this drug).
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to aliskiren or hydrochlorothiazide; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: an inability to make urine (anuria).
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: diabetes, loss of too much body water (dehydration), kidney disease, liver disease, lupus, gout, untreated mineral imbalance (e.g., high/low potassium, low magnesium, high calcium), high levels of fats in the blood (cholesterol/triglycerides), certain recent nerve surgery (sympathectomy).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
This drug may make you dizzy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. Significant loss of body water from too much sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea can also lower your blood pressure and worsen dizziness. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent these effects and dehydration. If your doctor has directed you to limit drinking fluids, consult your doctor for further instructions. Contact your doctor if you are unable to drink fluids or if you have persistent diarrhea/vomiting.
If you have diabetes, this product may change your blood sugar levels. Check your blood glucose levels regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst and urination. Your anti-diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted.
This product may affect your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this product, especially dizziness and diarrhea.
This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details. (See also Warning section.)
This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

See also the How to Use and Precautions sections.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor\'s approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: atorvastatin, cisapride, digoxin, diazoxide, dofetilide, drugs that may increase the level of potassium in the blood (including amiloride, triamterene, ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril/fosinopril/quinapril, ARBs such as irbesartan/candesartan/telmisartan, birth control pills containing drospirenone), furosemide, lithium.
Other medications can affect the removal of aliskiren from your body, which may affect how aliskiren works. Examples include azole antifungals (such as itraconazole), cyclosporine, quinidine, among others.
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as cough-and-cold products, diet aids, or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist for more details.
This product may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including parathyroid test, protein-bound iodide test), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: fainting, severe dizziness.

NOTES:
Do not share this medication with others.
Talk with your doctor about making changes to your lifestyle that may increase the effectiveness of this medication (e.g., stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes).
Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., kidney function, blood mineral levels such as potassium) should be performed regularly 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, and share the results with your doctor.

MISSED DOSE:
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE:
Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Information last revised July 2012. Copyright(c) 2012 First Databank, Inc.