High blood pressure, or as we all know it, "pressure," is a health problem that many people are facing these days. So your doctor has probably prescribed you medication for this. Today we are going to talk about a special type of medication that is given for such pressure. It is a combination of two drugs called Aliskiren and Hydrochlorothiazide. If you are a user of this medication, this article will be very important for you.
What is this medicine? To be precise...
Simply put, this is a combination of two medications. Together, these two help control your blood pressure.
1. Aliskiren: This belongs to a class of drugs called ``renin inhibitors.'' Imagine that our body has an enzyme called "renin" that constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure. So what this Aliskiren drug does is stop the action of that enzyme. Then the blood vessels are a little freer, and blood pressure decreases.
2. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ): You may have heard of this as a "water pill." Medically speaking, it is a type of diuretic. It works by removing excess salt and water from the body through urine. This reduces the pressure in the blood vessels.
So, in both ways, this medicine helps control your high blood pressure.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before giving you this medicine, your doctor will need to know your health history. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor.
- If you have diabetes.
- If you have kidney disease or kidney stones.
- If you have any liver disease.
- If you have gout .
- If you are dehydrated, meaning you have lost a lot of water in your body.
- If you have pancreatitis.
- If you are urinating very little or have difficulty urinating.
- This is very important if you are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
- If you have allergies to this medicine or any other medicine, food, or dye.
How should I use this medicine?
It is very important to know exactly how to use this medicine.
- Swallow this pill with a glass of water.
- Take your medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes, at the right time. It's best if you can take it at the same time every day.
- You can take this before or after meals. However, take it the same way every day (for example, if you take it every day after breakfast, continue to do so).
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- If you are giving this medicine to children, talk to your doctor about it as it requires special care.
Important: If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
If you are taking other medications while taking this medicine, there may be interactions between them. Therefore, inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, including vitamins and traditional medicines. You can find more information about this in the table below.
| Drug/substance type | Things to watch out for |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | It can change the effect of the medicine and increase dizziness. |
| Other blood pressure medications | The pressure may be too low. |
| Diabetes medication | Talk to your doctor as it may affect blood sugar levels. |
| Painkillers (NSAIDs) | For example, medications like Ibuprofen and Naproxen may increase blood pressure or affect the kidneys. |
| Potassium supplements and salt substitutes | Avoid taking these without medical advice. |
| Other medications such as Lithium and Digoxin | Serious interactions can occur with these. |
Things to consider when taking medication
You need to pay special attention to your health while taking this medicine.
Be especially careful during pregnancy.
If you are planning to become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause serious harm to your unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters.
For those with diabetes
This medicine may slightly increase your blood sugar level. Therefore, if you have diabetes, ask your doctor if you need to make any changes to your diet or medication. If you are taking an ACE inhibitor or ARB for diabetes, this medicine is not recommended.
Be careful of dehydration.
Tell your doctor if you have severe nausea, vomiting, or excessive sweating, as this medicine can be dangerous if you lose too much fluid from your body (dehydration).
Dizziness and drowsiness
This medicine may make you feel a little dizzy or drowsy. Therefore, avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Especially if you are elderly, stand up slowly when you stand up or get up from a sitting position.
Be careful when going out in the sun.
This medicine may make your skin sensitive to the sun (photosensitivity). Therefore, when going out in the sun, wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible, wear sunglasses, and use sunscreen. Also talk to your doctor about the risk of skin cancer while taking this medicine.
What side effects can you see?
Like any medicine, this one can cause some side effects. Some of them are serious, some of them are common.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, limbs. |
| Difficulty breathing | Shortness of breath, chest pain. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast or irregularly. |
| Eye problems | Changes in vision, eye pain. |
| Severe dizziness or fainting | Dizziness, unable to stand, and falling. |
| Other serious symptoms | Severe muscle pain, pain when urinating, fever, sore throat, and peeling skin. |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome. | |
| Slight dizziness | This may occur until you get used to the medicine. |
| Cough | Some people may develop a dry cough. |
| Stomach discomfort | Stomach pain, bloating. |
| Headache | A general headache may occur. |
Take-Home Message
- Always take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, in the correct dosage and at the correct time.
- Before starting the medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, avoid taking this medicine. Tell your doctor immediately.
- Be aware of dizziness and drowsiness. Protect yourself from dehydration.
- If you notice a serious side effect (e.g. severe swelling, difficulty breathing), seek medical advice immediately.
- See your doctor at the scheduled time and have your blood pressure checked. Don't be afraid to ask if you have any questions.
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