Aliskiren

Pronunciation: a-lis-KYE-ren
Generic Name: Aliskiren
Brand Name: Tekturna

Aliskiren may cause injury or death to the fetus if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away.

Aliskiren is used for:

Treating high blood pressure. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Aliskiren is a direct renin inhibitor. It works by relaxing blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and helps the heart to pump blood more easily.

Do NOT use Aliskiren if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Aliskiren


• you have a history of angioedema (swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness) caused by treatment with Aliskiren


• you are pregnant


• you are taking cyclosporine or itraconazole

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

Before using Aliskiren:

Some medical conditions may interact with Aliskiren. Tell your health care provider 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


• you have a history of angioedema (swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness), especially when taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (eg, lisinopril)


• if you are a woman of childbearing age


• if you have a history of gout, heart problems, or kidney problems (eg, renal artery stenosis)


• if you have a history of a stroke, recent heart attack, or kidney transplant


• if you are dehydrated, have low blood volume, or receive dialysis treatment


• if you have high blood potassium levels or low blood sodium levels, or if you are on a low-salt (sodium) diet


• if you have diabetes, especially if you are also taking an ACE inhibitor (eg, lisinopril) or an angiotensin receptor blocker (eg, losartan)


• if you take another medicine for high blood pressure

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Aliskiren. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Atorvastatin, azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole . ketoconazole), cyclosporine, medicines for heart problems, or other medicines for high blood pressure because they may increase the risk of Aliskiren's side effects, including low blood pressure


• ACE inhibitors (eg, lisinopril), angiotensin receptor blockers (eg, losartan), potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone), or potassium supplements because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased


• Irbesartan because it may decrease Aliskiren's effectiveness


• Furosemide because its effectiveness may be decreased by Aliskiren

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Aliskiren 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.

How to use Aliskiren:

Use Aliskiren as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Aliskiren. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Take Aliskiren by mouth with or without food. However, you must take it the same way each time you take it. If you take Aliskiren on an empty stomach, always take it on an empty stomach. If you take it with food, always take it with food.


• Taking Aliskiren with foods that are high in fat may decrease its effectiveness. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.


• Take Aliskiren on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.


• Aliskiren works best if it is taken at the same time each day.


• Continue to take Aliskiren even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Aliskiren, 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 Aliskiren.

Important safety information:

• Aliskiren may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Aliskiren with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Aliskiren 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.


• 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.


• Aliskiren 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.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Aliskiren before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.


• 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, and kidney function, may be performed while you use Aliskiren. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Aliskiren should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING: Aliskiren may cause birth defects or fetal death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Aliskiren is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Aliskiren.

Possible side effects of Aliskiren:

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:

Back pain; cough; dizziness; flu-like symptoms (eg, headache, muscle or joint aches, tiredness); mild diarrhea.

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

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the hands, eyes, mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; hoarseness); symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, fainting, severe dizziness, lightheadedness).

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. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Aliskiren side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; severe dizziness or lightheadedness.

Proper storage of Aliskiren:

Store Aliskiren at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Aliskiren out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Aliskiren, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Aliskiren is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Aliskiren. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Aliskiren resources

• Aliskiren Side Effects (in more detail)
• Aliskiren Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Aliskiren Drug Interactions
• Aliskiren Support Group
• 23 Reviews for Aliskiren - Add your own review/rating

• Aliskiren Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• aliskiren Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Aliskiren Hemifumarate Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Tekturna Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Tekturna Consumer Overview

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