Avalide is available as an oral tablet containing irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide. Take it exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider, usually once daily.
You may take Avalide with or without food. Swallow the tablet with water and try to take it at approximately the same time each day. A consistent schedule can help you remember your dose and maintain steady blood pressure control.
Do not take more tablets, use the medication more often, or change your dose without speaking with your healthcare provider.
Best Time to Take Avalide
Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic, sometimes called a water pill. It may cause you to urinate more often, especially during the first few hours after taking a dose.
Taking Avalide in the morning may help reduce the need to urinate during the night. When a morning dose is not possible, try to take it at least four hours before bedtime unless your healthcare provider gives you different instructions.
Recommended Dosage
For patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled with irbesartan or hydrochlorothiazide alone, the available dosing options include:
- 150 mg of irbesartan with 12.5 mg of hydrochlorothiazide once daily
- 300 mg of irbesartan with 12.5 mg of hydrochlorothiazide once daily
- 300 mg of irbesartan with 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide once daily
The appropriate starting dose depends on the medication and dose you were taking before switching to Avalide. The dose should be individualized rather than automatically started at the same strength for every patient.
Dose Adjustments
Your healthcare provider may check your blood pressure and adjust the dose based on your response to treatment.
The full blood pressure-lowering effect of a dose may take approximately two to four weeks to develop. Your healthcare provider may wait during this period before deciding whether you need a higher dose.
The maximum recommended dose is 300 mg of irbesartan with 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide once daily.
Do not increase the dose on your own, even if your blood pressure remains high. Taking too much may cause very low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, dehydration, kidney problems, or changes in electrolyte levels.
Taking Avalide With Cholesterol Medicines
Certain cholesterol-lowering medicines, known as bile acid–binding resins, can reduce the absorption of hydrochlorothiazide.
Examples include:
- Cholestyramine
- Colestipol
Take Avalide at least four hours before or four to six hours after these medicines. This spacing helps prevent the cholesterol medicine from reducing the amount of hydrochlorothiazide absorbed by your body.
Continue Taking Avalide Regularly
Take Avalide every day, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often does not cause symptoms, so you may not feel a noticeable difference while the medication is working.
Avalide controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Stopping treatment may cause your blood pressure to rise again and increase the risk of heart, brain, kidney, or blood vessel complications.
Do not stop taking Avalide unless your healthcare provider tells you to do so.
Monitoring During Treatment
Your healthcare provider may check your blood pressure and order blood tests before and during treatment.
These tests may be used to monitor:
- Kidney function
- Potassium levels
- Sodium levels
- Other electrolytes
- Signs of dehydration
- Your response to treatment
Monitoring is especially important after treatment begins, after the dose is increased, or if you develop vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, or reduced fluid intake.
If You Miss a Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your normal schedule.
Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.
If You Take Too Much
Taking too much Avalide may cause severe dizziness, weakness, fainting, dehydration, increased urination, or an unusually fast or slow heartbeat.
Contact a poison control center or seek immediate medical care if you or someone else takes more than the prescribed amount.
Important Treatment Instructions
Rise slowly from a sitting or lying position, especially when you first start treatment or after your dose is increased. This may help reduce dizziness or lightheadedness.
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience severe dizziness, fainting, very low blood pressure, ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, unusual weakness, muscle cramps, confusion, reduced urination, or an irregular heartbeat.
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