Avalide (Hydrochlorothiazide)

Description

Avalide is a medication that is used to treat high blood pressure. This drug is created with a combination of two medications, namely, hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan. Since the medication is an ARB, it is also effective in treating certain heart conditions such as heart failure.

How it works

The medication works in two ways. Firstly, as an Angotensin receptor blocker, it relaxes blood vessels and enables blood to flow more fluidly to other organs. Since the medication contains hydrochlorothiazide – which is a water pill, it influences the body to create more urine in order to get rid of extra salt and water in the body. By reducing the amount of potassium in the body, the drug automatically decreases the blood pressure level.

Its uses

The main duty of the medication is to reduce high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This enables the drug to reduce the occurrence of heart attacks and strokes. It is also effective in treating certain kidney problems – especially amongst individuals with diabetes.

Dosage

Usually, Avalide is consumed on a daily basis with one tablet a day. If you are taking the pill in the night, make sure to take it at least 4 hours before you go to sleep since consuming Avalide can result in frequent urination. If you take cholesterol pills, make sure to keep at least a four hour gap between the two doses to keep them away from chemically reacting to each other. If you think that you need to change the dosage, do not do so without consulting your physician first. Also, do not stop consuming Avalide abruptly just because you feel normal. Since the effects of blood pressure are hard to identify, it is best to consult a professional’s opinion.

Side effects

Be aware of the following side effects if you are planning to take this medication on the long term.

 Lightheadedness
 Vision problems
 Shortness of breath
 Confusion
 Fast heart rate
 Increased thirst
 Increased urination

Make sure to consult your healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms since they can get worse with time.

Precautions

 The following are some precautionary methods that will help you to reduce the occurrence of the above mentioned side effects.

 Avoid consuming potassium supplements or salt substitutes since they can increase your blood pressure and ruin the effectiveness of the medication.

 Inform your physician about medical history to ensure that this medication will not affect you in a negative way.

 Stop consuming the medication temporarily if you become pregnant during the treatment period since it can affect the health of the baby.

 Consume enough and more fluids including water to keep yourself hydrated at all times.

 In case of pregnancy, inform your health care provider immediately since consuming the medication can affect the baby.

 Ensure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients used in Avalide.

Self care

Research about the medication and see whether you are allergic to any of the ingredients used to create the medication. Individuals with diabetes should make sure that their current medications do not react chemically to Avalide.

Since the treatment period usually lasts up to 6-7 weeks, make sure that you consume the medication on a regular basis. However, this does not mean that you should take more than what is prescribed since it can result in overdosing.