Brand Tekturna

This medication is used to treat high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Aliskiren works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet available from your pharmacist before you start using aliskiren and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Some foods may decrease how well this drug is absorbed by your body. You may take this medication with or without food, but it is important to choose one way and take this medication the same way with every dose. If you are unclear about how to take this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take 2 weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug. Tell your doctor if your condition worsens (e.g., your routine blood pressure readings increase).

Before taking aliskiren, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: diabetes, gout, heart problems, kidney disease (including kidney stones), loss of too much body water (dehydration), untreated mineral imbalance (such as low sodium, high potassium). Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication. This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to the risk for harm to an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details. (See also Warning section.) It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: atorvastatin, furosemide, drugs/products that may increase potassium blood levels (e.g., ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril, ARBs such as irbesartan, potassium-sparing diuretics/"water pills" such as amiloride/spironolactone/triamterene, potassium supplements, salt substitutes). Other medications can affect the removal of aliskiren from your body, which may affect how aliskiren works. Examples include azole antifungals (such as itraconazole), cyclosporine, among others.

Upset stomach, diarrhea, lightheadedness, or cough may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To lower your risk of lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Seek immediate medical attention if this rare but very serious side effect occurs: seizure. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.