Brand Name

Avapro {Bristol-Myers Squibb}

Generic Name

irbesartan, pronounced ir be SAR tan

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Avapro?

Avapro is a medication to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure in adults. You may beprescribed Avapro to help keep your blood vessels from narrowing, which helps to lower your bloodpressure and improve your blood flow. Avapro , along with other medications, can be used to treat patients with kidney problems caused by type 2 diabetes .

Avapro may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Avapro

Avapro is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, which means that it helps to keep your bloodvessels from narrowing, which lowers your blood pressure and improves your blood flow. You may beprescribed Avapro alongside other blood pressure medications.

Avapro is in FDA pregnancy category D. You should not use Avapro if you are pregnant. If youbecome pregnant while taking Avapro you should stop taking this medication and contact yourdoctor right away. Avapro may cause injury or death to an unborn baby if taken during your secondor third trimester. You should be sure to use effective birth control while taking Avapro.

You should not breast-feed while taking Avapro, as we do not yet know if this medication canpass into breast milk.

While you are taking Avapro you should not drink alcohol. Because drinking alcohol can furtherlower your blood pressure you may experience an increase in certain side effects of Avapro if youdrink while taking this medication.

Unless your doctor has advised you to do so, you should not use potassium supplements or saltsubstitutes while you are taking Avapro .

Continue to use Avapro as your doctor has directed, and be sure to get your blood pressurechecked regularly.

In rare situations , Avapro can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletalmuscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Contact your doctor immediately if you have unexplainedmuscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, anddark colored urine.

Before You Take Avapro

If you are allergic to irbesartan you should not take Avapro.

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding you should not takeAvapro.

You should inform your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or congestive heartfailure before taking Avapro.

If you suffer from dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance you should tell your doctor beforestarting treatment with Avapro.

Let your doctor know if you drink 2 or more alcoholic beverages daily. Alcohol can increasethe risk of serious side effects if you are taking Avapro.

Until you know how you will react to Avapro you should avoid getting up too fast from a lyingor sitting position, as you may experience dizziness. Be sure to get up slowly and steadyyourself to prevent a fall, especially when you first begin your treatment with Avapro.

You need to be aware that certain conditions can cause low blood pressure, and make theeffects of Avapro more pronounced for you. Tell your doctor right away if you experiencediarrhea, heart disease, intense sweating, vomiting, dialysis, or if you are on a low salt dietor taking diuretics (water pills).

Avapro Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• diuretics or water pills
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic)
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate)
• meloxicam (Mobic)
• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Avapro. You should tell your doctorabout all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements andherbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medicationwithout telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Avapro

You should take Avapro exactly as directed by your doctor. It is important that you do nottake Avapro in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow thedirections on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctorinstructs you to change your dose.

Avapro can be taken with or without food.

You may need to take Avapro on a long-term basis for the treatment of high blood pressure. Itis important that you follow up with your doctor on a regular basis to be sure that Avapro ishelping your condition and not causing you to have any adverse or harmful effects.

Avapro should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Avapro you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as youremember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose isless than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

Avapro Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Avapro and seekemergency medical help immediately.

• allergic reaction including hives, swelling in your face, lips, throat or tongue and troublebreathing
• confusion
• drowsiness and mood changes
• high potassium symptoms, such as a slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, or a tinglyfeeling
• faint feeling or lightheadedness with pale skin
• loss of appetite with increased thirst
• nausea and vomiting
• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, alongside a fever, unusual tiredness anddark colored urine.
• urinating less than normal or not at all

Less serious side effects of Avapro may include:

• diarrhea
• dizziness
• exhaustion
• heartburn
• upset stomach

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Avapro. Youshould contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Avapro Description and Dosing

Avapro is available as oral, unscored tablets containing 75 mg, 150 mg, or 300 mg ofirbesartan. The tablets are white to off-white, biconvex, oval and debossed with a heart shape onone side and a portion of the NDC code on the other side.

The usual starting dose of Avapro tablets is 150 mg once daily for the treatment ofhypertension. Your doctor will tell you what dose of Avapro is right for you. You should notattempt to alter or change your dose of Avapro without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Avapro you should seek emergency helpimmediately.

Ingredients in Avapro

Avapro contains the active ingredient irbesartan. Inactive ingredients include: lactose,microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, croscarmellose sodium, poloxamer 188, silicondioxide, and magnesium stearate.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.