Hydrochlorothiazide-Irbesartan

Hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan is a combination medication used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). 

• Hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan are available under various brand names: Avalide

Common side effects of Hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan include:

• dizziness.
• muscle or joint pain; or
• feeling tired.

Serious side effects of Hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan include:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• eye pain, vision problems,
• a light-headed feeling,
• little or no urination,
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes),
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding; or
• signs of an electrolyte imbalance--increased thirst or urination, confusion, vomiting, constipation, muscle pain or weakness, leg cramps, bone pain, lack of energy, irregular heartbeats, tingly feeling.

Rare side effects of Hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan include:

• unexplained muscle pain,
• tenderness, 
• weakness
• fever, 
• unusual tiredness, and 
• dark-colored urine.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Tablet

• 150 mg/12.5 mg
• 300 mg/12.5 mg

Hypertension

Adult dosage

• 150 mg/12.5 mg orally every day initially; if needed, after 1-2 weeks may titrate up to 300 mg/25 mg orally every day.

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan have severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • Aliskiren
• Hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan have serious interactions with at least 28 other drugs.
• Hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan have moderate interactions with at least 233 other drugs.
• Hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan have minor interactions with at least 154 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to Irbesartan or hydrochlorothiazide
• You are unable to urinate; or
• You are allergic to sulfa drugs.
• Medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).
• Kidney disease.

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan?”

Cautions

• You should not use this medicine if you are unable to urinate, or if you are allergic to sulfa drugs.
• If you have diabetes, do not use hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).
• If you also take cholestyramine or colestipol, avoid taking these medications within 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan.
• It may take up to 4 weeks for this medication to control your blood pressure. Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
• Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may cause side effects.
• Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes, unless your doctor has told you to.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Do not use it if you are pregnant and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take Hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan during your second or third trimester.
• Lactation
  • You should not breastfeed while using Hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan.