Avalide

Avalide is a prescription medicine used to treat high blood pressure. It is a combination medicine, containing both irbesartan (which relaxes the blood vessels) and hydrochlorothiazide (which reduces blood volume). Combining these medications helps to lower blood pressure more than using either one of the medications alone. Some common side effects include dizziness, tiredness, and nausea.

Avalide Medication Information

What Is Avalide?

Avalide^® (irbesartan/HCTZ) is a combination medication used in the treatment of high blood pressure, known medically as hypertension. It combines two high blood pressure medications: irbesartan (Avapro^®) and hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide^®, Oretic^®), or HCTZ for short.

(Click Avalide Uses for more information on this topic, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes This Medication?

Avalide is made by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company for sanofi-aventis.

How Does Avalide Work?

Because Avalide combines two

blood pressure drugs, it works in two different ways to lower blood pressure.

Irbesartan, one of the medications in Avalide, belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers (or commonly "ARBs"). Angiotensin II narrows (constricts) blood vessels, making it harder for the heart to pump blood through them. This causes blood pressure to increase.

Irbesartan blocks angiotensin II receptors, preventing angiotensin II from narrowing the blood vessels. The blood vessels stay relaxed, and blood pressure lowers.

Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), the other medicine in Avalide, is a diuretic or "water pill." It works by increasing the amount of salt and water the kidneys remove from the blood. This extra salt and water is then passed out through the urine. The removal of salt and water decreases blood volume, resulting in lower blood pressure.

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