Drug Class: What is Avalide and why is Avalide prescribed?

Avalide is a combination medication used to treat high blood pressure.

One component, irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor inhibitor, also called angiotensin II receptor antagonist, and is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Avalide (Irbesartan) prevents the hormone angiotensin II from constricting the blood vessels, thereby allowing blood to flow more freely and keeping blood pressure down.

The other component, hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic. Hydrochlorothiazide increases the amount of water and salt you lose in your urine and decreases edema (swelling or fluid retention) and thus lowering blood pressure.

Combinations such as Avalide are usually prescribed only when treatment with a single medication fails to lower blood pressure sufficiently. Avalide can be combined with yet other blood pressure medicines if your pressure remains too high.