Special information on Avalide

Most important fact about Avalide:

If you have high blood pressure, you must take Avalide regularly for it to be effective. Since blood pressure declines gradually, it may be several weeks before you get the full benefit of Avalide and you must continue taking it even if you are feeling well. Avalide does not cure high blood pressure; it merely keeps it under control.

Avalide Special precautions if you are pregnant or breastfeeding:
When used in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, Avalide can cause injury and even death to the unborn child. Do not take Avalide if you are pregnant. If you know you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.

Avalide passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. It is not known whether irbesartan passes into breast milk. Do not take Avalide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Special warnings about Avalide:
Avalide can cause low blood pressure, especially if your body is short of fluid. This can happen due to excessive sweating, inadequate fluid intake, diarrhea, or vomiting, as well as dialysis or use of another diuretic. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, and call your doctor if your mouth becomes dry, you feel weak or tired or sluggish, you are unusually thirsty, you feel restless or confused, you ache all over, you find you are urinating less frequently, your heart starts beating faster, or you become nauseous.

If your blood pressure drops excessively, you may feel light-headed or faint, especially during the first few days of Avalide therapy. If these symptoms occur, contact your doctor. Your Avalide dosage may need adjustment. If you actually faint, stop taking Avalide until you have talked with your doctor.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Avalide may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position.

If you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, gout, or lupus erythematosus, use Avalide with caution. Avalide may bring out hidden diabetes. If you are already taking insulin or oral diabetes drugs, your dosage may have to be adjusted. If you have bronchial asthma or a history of allergies, you may be at greater risk for an allergic reaction to Avalide.

Stop taking Avalide and contact your doctor if lightheadedness or fainting occurs.

Avalide has not been tested in children.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizziness that may occur while you are taking an Avalide.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Avalide may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

Why Avalide should not be prescribed?
If Avalide gives you an allergic reaction, you will be unable to use it. You should also avoid it if you have an allergy to sulfa drugs, and if you are unable to urinate.