Aliskiren (By mouth)

Introduction

Aliskiren (a-lis-KYE-ren)

Treats high blood pressure. A lower blood pressure will reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. This medicine is a renin inhibitor.

Brand Name(s)

Tekturna

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Take this medicine the same way every day. This means take it at the same time and take it consistently with or without food.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.Be sure to drink plenty of fluids if you exercise, sweat more than usual, or have diarrhea or vomiting.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Blood in the urine, lower back pain, side pain, or sharp back pain just below the ribs
• Change in how much or how often you urinate
• Confusion, body weakness, uneven heartbeat, shortness of breath, or numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Seizures

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Back pain
• Cough, runny or stuffy nose, or sore throat
• Headache
• Tiredness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), other blood pressure medicines (such as enalapril, irbesartan, lisinopril, losartan, olmesartan, valsartan, Accupril®, Avapro®, Benicar®, Cozaar®, Lotrel®, or Zestril®), or certain diuretics or water pills (such as spironolactone, triamterene, Aldactone®, or Dyrenium®). Tell your doctor if you are also using pain or arthritis medicine or NSAID such as aspirin, celecoxib, ibuprofen, naproxen, rofecoxib, valdecoxib, Advil®, Aleve®, Bextra®, Celebrex®, Motrin®, or Vioxx®.
• Ask your doctor before you use medicines, supplements, or salt substitutes that contain potassium.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding or if you have kidney problems, diabetes, low blood pressure, mineral imbalances (high or low potassium or sodium in the blood), or a history of upper respiratory surgery.
• This medicine could lower your blood pressure too much and cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Stand or sit up slowly if you are dizzy. This is more likely to happen when you begin to use the medicine. It could also happen if you have diarrhea or vomiting, sweat heavily, or do not drink enough water and become dehydrated. If you faint, call your doctor right away.
• Even if you feel well, do not stop using the medicine without asking your doctor. This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it will help keep it in normal range. You may have to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.