Co Aprovel, Irbesartan/
Hydrochlorothiazide

Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide is used for:

Treating high blood pressure. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide is a combination angiotensin II receptor blocker and diuretic. The angiotensin II receptor blocker works by relaxing the blood vessels. Exactly how the diuretic works to decrease blood pressure is unknown, but it helps the kidneys to eliminate fluid and sodium from the body.

Do NOT use Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide or to any other sulfonamide medicine (eg, sulfamethoxazole)
• you are pregnant
• you have severe kidney problems or are unable to urinate
• you are taking dofetilide or ketanserin

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide :

Some medical conditions may interact with Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have ever had a severe reaction (eg, swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; trouble swallowing or breathing; hoarseness) after taking any other angiotensin II receptor blocker or an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (eg, captopril)
• if you are dehydrated; have low blood volume; have low blood sodium, chloride, potassium, or magnesium levels; or have high blood calcium levels
• if you have asthma; diabetes; gout; heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure); liver, gall bladder, or kidney problems; high blood cholesterol or lipid levels; or systemic lupus erythematosus
• if you have recently had nerve surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Dofetilide or ketanserin because the risk of irregular heartbeat may be increased
• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), diuretics (eg, furosemide), narcotic pain medicines (eg, morphine), or other medicines for high blood pressure because they may increase the risk of Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide 's side effects
• Cholestyramine, colestipol, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen) because they may decrease Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide 's effectiveness
• Diazoxide, digoxin, lithium, nondepolarizing muscle relaxants (eg, tubocurarine), potassium, or potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone) because risk of their side effects and toxic effects may be increased by Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide
• Diabetes medicine (eg, glipizide, metformin), insulin, or pressor amines (eg, norepinephrine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.