Avapro Side Effects

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Avapro is the brand name for irbesartan, which is prescribed to treat patients with hypertension (high blood pressure).^[1] Avapro is also indicated for the treatment of kidney disease caused by type 2 diabetes, and is sometimes used to treat congestive heart failure.^[2] Avapro is classified as an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. It allows the heart to pump more efficiently and blood to flow smoothly by blocking natural substances that tighten blood vessels.^[2]

Potential Avapro side effects include diarrhea, heartburn, and excessive tiredness. More serious side effects are also possible. Less commonly, severe allergies can occur with the drug. Is it also possible to overdose.^[2]

Contents 1 Common Avapro Side Effects 2 About Drug Side Effects 3 Avapro Allergic Reactions 4 Avapro Precautions and Warnings 5 References

Common Avapro Side Effects

The most common side effects of Avapro are diarrhea, heartburn and drowsiness. In addition, there other, less common, side effects. In clinical studies, patients taking Avapro experienced the following adverse reactions:

• abdominal pain
• anxiety or nervousness
• chest pain
• dizziness
• edema
• headache
• influenza
• musculoskeletal pain
• pharyngitis
• nausea/vomiting
• rash
• rhinitis
• sinus abnormality
• tachycardia
• urinary tract infection^[3]

About Drug Side Effects

Avapro Allergic Reactions

The use of Avapro is contraindicated for patients with a known hypersensitivity or allergy to irbesartan or to any of the following inactive ingredients: lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, corn starch, croscarmellose sodium, poloxamer 188, silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate.^[4]

Some side effects to an allergic reaction can be serious and may require medical attention. These include swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; hoarseness; and difficulty breathing or swallowing.^[2]

Avapro Precautions and Warnings

• Avapro patients may feel dizzy or lightheaded when standing up. This side effect can be lessened by rising slowly after laying down.^[2]
• It may not be safe for some patients to use salt substitutes with potassium while using Avapro.^[2]
• Avapro patients may find that their blood pressure drops if they lose too much water from exercising, sweating, vomiting or diarrhea. Low blood pressure can cause patients to pass out or feel lightheaded.^[2]
• Some Avapro patients will need to follow a low-sodium diet.^[2]
• Avapro should be used with caution in patients who are elderly, volume-depleted (including those on diuretic therapy), or with compromised renal function. ^[4]
• Administering Avapro along with NSAIDs like ibuprofen (found in Advil| and Motrin), as well as selective COX-2 inhibitors, may result in deterioration of renal function, including possible acute renal failure.^[4]
• Avapro is classified as FDA pregnancy category C for women in the first trimester. This means that animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus, yet there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans. For women in their second or third trimester of pregnancy, Avapro is categorized as FDA pregnancy category D. Drugs in category D are noted for their potential to cause serious injury, even death, of a developing fetus.^[5] It is not known Avapro if is excreted in the breast milk in nursing mothers.

Also See: Drug Side Effects, Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Program, FDA, Advicor Side Effects, Niaspan Side Effects, Warfarin Side Effects

References

1. ↑ http://www.avalide-avapro.com/
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7} http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001023/
3. ↑ http://packageinserts.bms.com/pi/pi_avapro.pdf
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=b7f1a9ef-c7bb-465c-e4d7-a41395205cad
5. ↑ http://www.avalide-avapro.com/indications_and_safety_info.aspx