Amturnide

Generic Name: aliskiren, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide (AL is KYE ren, am LOE de peen, HYE droe klor oh THYE a zide)
Brand Names: Amturnide

What is Amturnide?

Amturnide contains a combination of aliskiren, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide. Aliskiren is an anti-hypertensive (blood pressure lowering) medication. It works by decreasing substances in the body that narrow blood vessels and raise blood pressure.

Amlodipine is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Amlodipine relaxes (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Amturnide is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Amturnide is usually given after other blood pressure medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

Amturnide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Amturnide

Do not use Amturnide if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Stop using Amturnide and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. You should not take this medication if you are allergic to aliskiren (Tekturna, Tekamlo), amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tribenzor, Twynsta), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Vaseretic, Zestoretic, and many others), or sulfa drugs (Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim, SMX-TMP, and others). You should not take Amturnide if you have severe kidney disease or are unable to urinate, or if you are also taking itraconazole (Sporanox) or cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune).

Before you take Amturnide, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, glaucoma, lupus, asthma, congestive heart failure, angina (chest pain), coronary artery disease, an electrolyte imbalance (such as low potassium or magnesium), a penicillin allergy, if you are on a low-salt diet, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a blood pressure medication.

Your chest pain may become worse when you first start taking the medicine or when your dose is increased. Call your doctor if your chest pain is severe or ongoing. Keep using Amturnide as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Before taking Amturnide

You should not take Amturnide if you are allergic to aliskiren (Tekturna, Tekamlo), amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tribenzor, Twynsta), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Vaseretic, Zestoretic, and many others), or sulfa drugs (Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim, SMX-TMP, and others). You should not take Amturnide if you have severe kidney disease or are unable to urinate, or if you are also taking itraconazole (Sporanox) or cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune).

To make sure you can safely take Amturnide, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

• liver disease;

• congestive heart failure;

• angina (chest pain);

• glaucoma;

• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE);

• asthma;

• coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);

• if you are allergic to penicillin;

• if you are on a low-salt diet; or

• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a blood pressure medication.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Amturnide if you are pregnant. Stop using Amturnide and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. This medication can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking Amturnide. It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking Amturnide.

See also: Amturnide pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Amturnide?

Take Amturnide exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Your chest pain may become worse when you first start taking the medicine or when your dose is increased. Call your doctor if your chest pain is severe or ongoing.

Amturnide may be taken with or without food, but take it the same way each time.

While using Amturnide, you may need blood tests at your doctor's office. Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the doctor or surgeon ahead of time that you are using Amturnide.

Conditions that may cause very low blood pressure include: vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low salt diet, or taking diuretics (water pills). Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while taking Amturnide. Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting.

Keep using Amturnide as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life. Store in the original container at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

See also: Amturnide dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include rapid heartbeats, severe dizziness, warmth or tingly feeling, and fainting.

What should I avoid while taking Amturnide?

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Amturnide, unless your doctor has told you to. Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of Amturnide.

Avoid taking with foods that are high in fat, which can make it harder for your body to absorb Amturnide.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

See also: Amturnide and alcohol (in more detail)

Amturnide side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Amturnide: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Amturnide and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;

• feeling like you might pass out;

• vision problems, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;

• low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling);

• high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling);

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; or

• severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Less serious Amturnide side effects may include:

• headache;

• dizziness; or

• stuffy nose, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Amturnide side effects (in more detail)

Amturnide Dosing Information

Usual Adult Amturnide Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 1 tablet orally daily. The dosage may be increased after 2 weeks of therapy.

Maximum dose: Aliskiren/amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide 300/10/25 mg orally daily.

Usual Geriatric Amturnide Dose for Hypertension:

Patients greater than or equal to 75 years of age should start amlodipine at 2.5 mg, which is not available with aliskiren/amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide.

What other drugs will affect Amturnide?

Tell your doctor about all other heart or blood pressure medications you are taking.

Before using Amturnide, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that can lower blood pressure (such as sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, and medicine for seizures or anxiety). They can add to the blood pressure lowering effects of Amturnide.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet);

• cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);

• furosemide (Lasix);

• irbesartan (Avapro);

• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);

• quinidine (Quin-G);

• simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin, Juvisync);

• tacrolimus (Prograf);

• verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan);

• insulin or oral diabetes medication;

• an oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable steroid medicine;

• any other diuretic (water pill);

• antifungal medication such as fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Oravig), or voriconazole (Vfend);

• HIV or AIDS medications such as nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), or saquinavir (Invirase); or

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Amturnide. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Amturnide.