Precautions and Warnings With Aliskiren-HCTZ

Before starting treatment with aliskiren-HCTZ, precautions and warnings associated with the drug should be reviewed with your healthcare provider. For example, aliskiren-HCTZ can interact with several medications and may cause angioedema, a life-threatening reaction that causes swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat. Other precautions and warnings with aliskiren-HCTZ apply to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

 

Aliskiren-HCTZ: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking aliskiren-HCTZ (Tekturna HCT®) if you have:
 
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
  • Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Breastfeeding.
     
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 

Specific Precautions and Warnings With Aliskiren-HCTZ

Warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking
 aliskiren-HCTZ include the following:
 
  • Pregnant women should not take aliskiren-HCTZ. This drug is a renin inhibitor, and medications that affect the renin-angiotensin system have been shown to cause serious problems when used during pregnancy (see Tekturna HCT and Pregnancy).
     
  • Aliskiren-HCTZ can cause angioedema, a life-threatening reaction that causes swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat. If you experience such symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
     
  • As with all blood pressure medications, aliskiren-HCTZ can cause low blood pressure (hypotension). Let your healthcare provider know if you develop signs of low blood pressure, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
     
  • Make sure your healthcare provider knows if you have kidney problems before you take aliskiren-HCTZ. Your healthcare provider may need to monitor you more closely and, in some situations, this medication may not be the best choice for you.
     
  • Aliskiren-HCTZ may affect electrolytes in the blood (including sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride). Therefore, your healthcare provider will regularly check these levels. If you notice any symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance, contact your healthcare provider right away. These symptoms may include:
 
    • Dry mouth
    • Increased thirst
    • Weakness
    • Tiredness
    • Restlessness
    • Seizures
    • Confusion
    • Muscle pain or cramps
    • Decrease in urine output
    • Weak or irregular heartbeat
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting.
 
  • Hydrochlorothiazide (one of the components of aliskiren-HCTZ) has been reported to worsen systemic lupus erythematosus or, in some cases, to even cause the condition.
     
  • The hydrochlorothiazide component of aliskiren-HCTZ is also known to worsen gout.
     
  • Hydrochlorothiazide may cause high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) in people with diabetes or, in some cases, even cause diabetes in people without a history of the condition.
     
  • Aliskiren-HCTZ can interact with other medications (see Drug Interactions With Aliskiren-HCTZ).
     
  • Aliskiren-HCTZ passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Tekturna HCT and Breastfeeding).
     
(Precautions and Warnings With Aliskiren-HCTZ Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;