Tekamlo

Tekamlo is approved for the treatment of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. The two different components in the drug work together to inhibit the action of certain enzymes in the body and to slow down the rate at which calcium moves into the cardiovascular system. Most people tolerate it well; however, side effects are possible, such as water retention (edema).

Tekamlo Medication Information

What Is Tekamlo?

Tekamlo™ (aliskiren/amlodipine) is a prescription medication approved to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It contains two different medications: aliskiren (Tekturna^®) and amlodipine (Norvasc^®).

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

Who Makes This Medication?

Tekamlo is made by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

How Does Tekamlo Work?

As mentioned, Tekamlo contains two different medications -- aliskiren and amlodipine -- which work in the following ways:

Aliskiren is classified as a renin inhibitor and is the first medication of its kind. Renin is an enzyme produced in the kidneys that acts throughout the body. It works to convert angiotensinogen to angiotensin I. A different enzyme (angiotensin-converting enzyme or ACE) then converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a powerful substance that increases blood pressure by narrowing blood vessels and indirectly stimulating the kidneys to retain salt.

Several different blood pressure medications work in various steps in this process (such as ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers, known as ARBs). However, aliskiren is different; it acts at the very beginning of the process, preventing renin from converting angiotensinogen to angiotensin I (the first step in the process).

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. It helps slow down the rate at which calcium moves into your blood vessel walls. This, in turn, helps to relax the vessels, which allows for better blood flow and causes lower blood pressure.

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