INDICATIONS

Avapro is used for treating high blood pressure alone or with other medicines. It is also used in certain patients to treat kidney problems caused by diabetes (diabetic nephropathy). Avapro is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It works by relaxing blood vessels. This helps to lower blood pressure.

INSTRUCTIONS

Use Avapro as directed by your doctor.

• Take Avapro by mouth with or without food.
• Take Avapro on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Avapro at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
• Continue to take Avapro even if you feel well. Do not miss any dose.
• If you miss a dose of Avapro, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Avapro.

STORAGE

Store Avapro at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at room temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Avapro out of the reach of children and away from pets.

MORE INFO:

Active Ingredient: Irbesartan.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; tiredness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the hands, eyes, mouth, face, lips, or tongue; hoarseness); change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; dark urine; difficulty swallowing; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; muscle pain or cramps; severe or persistent stomach pain (with or without nausea or vomiting); severe or persistent tiredness; symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, fainting, severe dizziness, lightheadedness); vision changes; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.

Do NOT use Avapro if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Avapro
• you are in your second or third trimester of pregnancy.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Avapro. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are able to become pregnant
• if you have a history of angioedema (swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness), including angioedema caused by treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (eg, linsinopril)
• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure), blood vessel problems, blood flow problems, kidney problems, or diabetes
• if you have a history of stroke or recent heart attack
• if you are dehydrated or have low blood volume
• if you have electrolyte problems (eg, high blood potassium levels, low blood sodium levels) or are on a low-salt (sodium) diet
• if you are on dialysis or are scheduled to have major surgery.

Some medicines may interact with Avapro. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of low blood pressure may be increased
• Potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone, triamterene) or potassium supplements because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin, celecoxib) because they may decrease Avapro's effectiveness
• Lithium because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Avapro.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Avapro may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

• Avapro may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Avapro with caution. Do not drive or perform other possible unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Avapro may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Avapro may cause a serious side effect called angioedema. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness.
• Avapro may not work as well in black patients. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
• Dehydration, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur.
• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Avapro before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
• If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Lab tests, including blood pressure, blood electrolyte levels, heart function, or kidney function, may be performed while you use Avapro. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Avapro should not be used in children younger than 16 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Do not take Avapro after the third month of pregnancy. It may cause injury or death to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Avapro is found in breast milk. Do not breastfeed while taking Avapro.