A problem that many people have these days is high blood pressure, or as we all know it, 'pressure'. So, as a treatment for this, doctors prescribe various types of medications. One of them is a special drug called Aliskiren. Perhaps you have also been prescribed this drug. So today, let's talk simply and friendly about this Aliskiren pill, the things to be careful about when using it, and the possible side effects.
What is Aliskiren?
Simply put, Aliskiren is a special type of medication that is used to control high blood pressure. It belongs to a class of drugs called 'renin inhibitors.' Now you may be wondering what this 'renin' means.
Imagine, our body has a natural system that controls blood pressure. An enzyme that plays a key role in this system is called 'renin'. Sometimes, when this renin enzyme becomes too active, the blood vessels constrict (tighten) and the pressure increases. So what Aliskiren does is directly control the activity of that renin enzyme. Then the blood vessels become a little freer, wider, and the blood pressure decreases. This is the basic action of this drug.
This medicine is available under various brand names in Sri Lanka and around the world. One of the most famous is `Tekturna`.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before prescribing Aliskiren, your doctor will ask you about a few things. But sometimes we forget to mention these things. So you should definitely inform your doctor about these things.
- If you have diabetes mellitus: This is very important. Special care should be taken when giving this medicine to someone with diabetes.
- If you have kidney disease: If you have any kidney disease, you should mention it.
- If you are dehydrated: It can be dangerous to take this medicine when you are dehydrated and lacking water in your body.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant: This is very important . If you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon, you should definitely tell your doctor. This medicine can seriously harm an unborn baby.
- Breastfeeding: If you are a breastfeeding mother, also mention that.
- Other Allergies: It is important to tell us if you have any allergies, not just to Aliskiren, but to any other medicine, food, or dye.
The correct way to use the medicine
It is very important to use the correct dosage, exactly as prescribed by the doctor.
- Take it at the right time: Get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day. In the morning, in the morning, and in the evening, at the same time every night. This will help maintain the same level of effectiveness of the medicine in the body.
- With or without food: You can take this medicine with or without food. But the most important thing is that you take it the same way every day. For example, if you take it after breakfast every day, keep taking it that way. Don't take it before breakfast one day and after breakfast the next.
- Don't stop taking it until your doctor tells you to: Don't stop taking your medicine without asking your doctor, just because you think you're feeling better now and your blood pressure is normal. Continue taking it.
What do you do if you miss a medication appointment?
We sometimes forget to take our medicine. If we miss a dose, take it as soon as we remember. However, if it is almost time for our next dose (e.g., within a few hours), skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you suddenly think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other medications that may interact with Aliskiren
Some other medications you take may interact with Aliskiren, increasing or decreasing its effectiveness, or causing side effects. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take.
| Type of medicine | Things to watch out for |
|---|---|
| Other high blood pressure medications | It is not advisable to take this with some blood pressure medications (especially for diabetics). |
| Potassium supplements | Taking these together can cause dangerously high blood potassium levels. |
| Salt substitutes containing potassium | These are also high in potassium, so do not use them without medical advice. |
| Atorvastatin (a medicine for cholesterol) | There may be an interaction between these two medications. |
| Furosemide (a medicine that removes water from the body) | Aliskiren may reduce the effectiveness of Furosemide. |
| Ketoconazole (an antifungal) | This can increase the level of Aliskiren in the body. |
Very important: If you have diabetes mellitus, and you are already taking another blood pressure medication from the ARB (angiotensin-receptor-blocker) or ACE inhibitor (angiotensin-converting-enzyme-inhibitor) class (e.g. Losartan, Telmisartan, Enalapril, Ramipril), do not take Aliskiren for any reason. This condition can cause serious damage to the kidneys. Be sure to talk to your doctor about this.
Possible side effects of this medicine
Like any medicine, Aliskiren can cause side effects in some people. Some of these are serious, while others are mild.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips, tongue, face or throat. |
| Difficulty breathing | Difficulty breathing, chest tightness. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast or irregularly. |
| Dizziness or lightheadedness | Feeling like a gnat, eyes turning blue, drooping. |
| Kidney problems | Decreased urine output, pain when urinating. |
| Other | Fever, sore throat, gout pain, numbness in the limbs. |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Stomach ache | Stomach ache, diarrhea. |
| Headache | A mild headache. |
| Cough | Some people may develop a dry cough. |
| Tiredness | Feeling more tired than usual. |
How do you store medicine properly?
- Keep away from children: Always keep medicines in a safe place, out of the reach of children and pets.
- Suitable temperature: Normal room temperature (between 20-25 Celsius) is best. Protect from excessive heat and humidity.
- Close the bottle tightly: Keep the mouth of the medicine bottle or packet tightly closed. Do not remove the small packet (silica gel packet) inside the bottle. It absorbs moisture from the medicine and keeps it dry.
- Discard after expiration: Check the expiration date on medications and discard any expired medications without using them.
Take-Home Message
- Aliskiren is a drug in the 'renin inhibitor' class of drugs used to treat high blood pressure.
- Before starting this medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions (especially diabetes, kidney disease) and all other medications you are taking.
- If you have diabetes and are taking another blood pressure medication from the ARB or ACE inhibitor class, do not take Aliskiren.
- Avoid using this medicine during pregnancy or when trying to become pregnant. Tell your doctor immediately.
- Take your medicine at the same time and in the same way every day. Avoid stopping your medicine without consulting your doctor.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as swelling of the face, lips, or difficulty breathing, seek medical advice immediately.
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