 Using aliskiren and hydrochlorothiazide (Tekturna HCT)
Dear Patient,
Your health care provider has prescribed a combination drug that contains a renin inhibitor (aliskiren) and a diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide) for the treatment of your hypertension. By acting in two ways to lower your blood pressure, it can be more effective than a single drug. The brand name of this drug is Tekturna HCT.
How you will take aliskiren and hydrochlorothiazid
You should take aliskiren and hydrochlorothiazide once a day. Try to take it at about the same time each day. The pill may be taken with or without food, but you should take it the same way each time.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take the next dose as soon as you remember. Don’t make up or double doses; don’t take more than one dose each day.
What to do about side effects
Notify your health care provider if you experience effects from this medication.
Common: cough, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, flulike symptoms
Less common: swelling of the head and neck, rash
What you must know about other medications
Many other drugs can have an effect on how this drug works in your body; tell all the health care providers caring for you that you’re taking this drug so they can monitor you for the possible need to adjust dosages. Some of the drugs that could cause a problem include lithium, alcohol, corticosteroids, barbiturates, antidiabetic drugs, other antihypertensives, and NSAIDs--drugs like ibuprofen--often used to treat pain. If you’re taking any of these drugs, discuss this with your health care provider.
Special directions
- Take this drug once each day consistently with or without food.
- Continue to take any other blood pressure medication if prescribed by your health care provider.
- If you’re diabetic, be aware that this drug may alter your control of blood sugar. You’ll need to monitor yourself carefully while taking this drug.
- Don’t drive or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this drug will affect you; it may cause dizziness and loss of alertness.
- Take care in any situation that might lead to a fall in blood pressure--dehydration, extreme heat, inability to drink because of illness--you could be prone to a steep fall in blood pressure with dizziness or even fainting.
Keep in mind
- You’ll need to have your blood pressure checked regularly while you’re taking this drug.
- This drug has been shown to harm and even cause death of a fetus. You should use contraceptive measures while you are taking this drug. If you should become pregnant while taking this drug, consult your health care provider.
- It’s unknown how this drug could affect a breast-fed baby. Because of the potential for serious adverse effects on an infant, another method of feeding the baby should be used while you are taking this drug.
- Report difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue; dizziness or light-headedness; pregnancy.
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