back to: pharmacy / drug prices & information / A

Avapro

(other types of Avapro)

e-mail a friend about this prescription product
Let your friends know about this prescription product and our low drug prices!

Information on Avapro

---

Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .

Tablets
Chemical Name: IRBESARTAN (IR-be-SAR-tan)

Common uses
Avapro 150mg is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used to treat high blood pressure alone or with other medicines. It is also used in certain patients to treat kidney problems caused by diabetes (diabetic nephropathy). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Before using
WARNING: Avapro 150mg can cause injury and possibly death to a developing fetus when used after the third month of pregnancy. Talk with your doctor at once if you suspect that you are pregnant. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Avapro 150mg. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide); potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone, triamterene); potassium supplements; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin, celecoxib); or lithium. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including 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, lisinopril); a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure), blood vessel problems, blood flow problems, kidney problems, or diabetes. Tell your doctor if you have a history of stroke or recent heart attack; electrolyte problems (eg, high blood potassium levels, low blood sodium levels); allergies; pregnancy or able to become pregnant; or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have low blood volume or are dehydrated; are on a low-salt (sodium) diet or on dialysis; or scheduled to have major surgery. USE OF AVAPRO 150mg IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you are in your second or third trimester of pregnancy. Use of Avapro 150mg in children under 16 years old is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving Avapro 150mg to your child. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using Avapro 150mg.

Directions
Follow the directions for taking Avapro 150mg provided by your doctor. TAKE AVAPRO 150mg with or without food. STORE AVAPRO 150mg at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at room temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Take Avapro 150mg on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Avapro 150mg at the same time each day will help you remember to take it. Continue to take Avapro 150mg even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF AVAPRO 150mg, 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.

Cautions
DO NOT USE AVAPRO 150mg IF you are allergic to any ingredient in Avapro 150mg. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. Avapro 150mg 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. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Avapro 150mg with caution. DO NOT DRIVE OR PERFORM OTHER POSSIBLY UNSAFE TASKS until you know how you react to it. AVAPRO 150mg 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. 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. AVAPRO 150mg MAY NOT WORK AS WELL IN BLACK PATIENTS. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Lab tests, including blood pressure, blood electrolyte levels, heart function, or kidney function, may be performed to monitor your condition or check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking Avapro 150mg. TELL YOUR DOCTOR OR DENTIST that you take Avapro 150mg 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. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it. 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. FOR WOMEN: DO NOT TAKE AVAPRO 150mg 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 150mg IS FOUND in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking Avapro 150mg.

Possible side effects
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Avapro 150mg include diarrhea, dizziness, or tiredness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience 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; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Avapro 150mg is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Drug interactions
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions

If you take too much
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Additional information
DO NOT SHARE AVAPRO 150mg with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE AVAPRO 150mg for other health conditions. KEEP AVAPRO 150mg out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING AVAPRO 150mg FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.

Selected data included with permission and copyrighted by Medi-Span, 2010. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a Licensed data provider and is not for distribution in professional healthcare settings.
The name and strength of the drug discussed above has been provided for clarity by drugstore.com, inc. and without the express permission of Medi-Span, and Medi-Span makes no representation as to the accuracy of such additional information.