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What is the most important information I should know about
irbesartan?
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Do not take irbesartan if you are pregnant or could become pregnant
during treatment. When used during the second and third trimesters of
pregnancy, irbesartan can cause injury and even death to the developing
fetus. Notify your doctor immediately if you think you might be pregnant. |
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Irbesartan 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. |
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Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and
increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking irbesartan. |
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Irbesartan is in a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor
antagonists. Irbesartan prevents the constriction (narrowing) of blood
vessels (veins and arteries). |
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Irbesartan is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and
diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease caused by diabetes). |
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Irbesartan may also be used for purposes other than those listed in
this medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
irbesartan?
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Before taking irbesartan, tell your doctor if you |
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are on a salt-restricted diet or have high levels of potassium in
your blood; or |
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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). |
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You may not be able to take irbesartan, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above. |
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Irbesartan is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that it is
known to be harmful to an unborn baby. When used during the second and
third trimesters of pregnancy, irbesartan can cause injury and even
death to the developing fetus. Do not take irbesartan if you are
pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment |
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It is not known whether irbesartan passes into breast milk. Do not
take irbesartan without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby. |
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How should I take irbesartan?
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Take irbesartan exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to
explain them to you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. |
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You can take irbesartan with or without food. |
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Your doctor may want to monitor your blood pressure or perform other
tests to monitor the effects of this medication. |
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Do not stop taking irbesartan without first talking to your doctor.
If you stop taking the medication, your condition could become worse. |
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Store irbesartan at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is
almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the
next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this
medication. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention. |
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Symptoms of an irbesartan overdose are not well known, but might
include dizziness, weakness, fainting, fatigue, and chest pain. |
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What should I avoid while taking irbesartan?
|
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• |
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Irbesartan 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. |
|
• |
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and
increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking irbesartan. |
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Do not use salt substitutes or take potassium supplements without
first talking to your doctor. Irbesartan can affect potassium levels in
the body. |
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What are the possible side effects of irbesartan?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
taking irbesartan and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency
medical treatment: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or |
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Other side effects are less serious. Continue to take irbesartan and
talk to your doctor if you experience |
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diarrhea or upset stomach; |
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muscle pain, cramps, or backache; |
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congestion or cough (very unlikely). |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect irbesartan?
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Before taking irbesartan, tell your doctor if you |
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take a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others; |
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· |
take a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor),
spironolactone (Aldactone), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide);
or |
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Irbesartan can affect potassium levels in the body. You may not be
able to take irbesartan, or you may require a dosage adjustment or
special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. |
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Tell your doctor about any other medicines you take for high blood
pressure or other heart conditions. Irbesartan may cause very low blood
pressure if it is taken with other heart medications. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with irbesartan
or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before
taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal
products. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about irbesartan written
for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.03. Revision Date: 1/
23/ 04. |
