Aprovel 300 mg

Aprovel 300 mg

Take special care with Aprovel

Tell your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

if you get excessive vomiting or diarrhoea

if you suffer from kidney problems

if you suffer from heart problems

if you receive Aprovel for diabetic kidney disease. In this case your doctor may perform regular blood tests, especially for measuring blood potassium levels in case of poor kidney function

if you are going to have an operation (surgery) or be given anaesthetics

You must tell your doctor if you think you are ( or might become) pregnant. Aprovel is not recommended in early pregnancy, and must not be taken if you are more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used at that stage (see pregnancy section).

Using other medicines

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

Aprovel does not usually interact with other medicines.

You may need to have blood checks if you take:

potassium supplements

salt substitutes containing potassium

potassium-sparing medicines (such as certain diuretics)

medicines containing lithium

If you take certain painkillers, called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the effect of irbesartan may be reduced.

Taking Aprovel with food and drink

Aprovel can be taken with or without food.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Pregnancy

You must tell your doctor if you think you are ( or might become) pregnant. Your doctor will normally advise you to stop taking Aprovel before you become pregnant or as soon as you know you are pregnant and will advise you to take another medicine instead of Aprovel. Aprovel is not recommended in early pregnancy, and must not be taken when more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used after the third month of pregnancy.

Breast-feeding

Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or about to start breast-feeding. Aprovel is not recommended for mothers who are breast-feeding, and your doctor may choose another treatment for you if you wish to breast-feed, especially if your baby is newborn, or was born prematurely.

Driving and using machines

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. Aprovel is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, occasionally dizziness or weariness may occur during treatment of high blood pressure. If you experience these, talk to your doctor before attempting to drive or use machines.

Important information about some of the ingredients of Aprovel

Aprovel contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars (e.g. lactose), contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

How is it used?

Always take Aprovel exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Method of administration

Aprovel is for oral use. Swallow the tablets with a sufficient amount of fluid (e.g. one glass of water). You can take Aprovel with or without food. Try to take your daily dose at about the same time each day. It is important that you continue to take Aprovel until your doctor tells you otherwise.

Patients with high blood pressure

The usual dose is 150 mg once a day. The dose may later be increased to 300 mg once daily depending on blood pressure response.

Patients with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes with kidney disease

In patients with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, 300 mg once daily is the preferred maintenance dose for the treatment of associated kidney disease.

The doctor may advise a lower dose, especially when starting treatment in certain patients such as those on haemodialysis, or those over the age of 75 years.

The maximal blood pressure lowering effect should be reached 4-6 weeks after beginning treatment.

If you take more Aprovel than you should

If you accidentally take too many tablets, contact your doctor immediately.

Children should not take Aprovel

Aprovel should not be given to children under 18 years of age. If a child swallows some tablets, contact your doctor immediately.

If you forget to take Aprovel

If you accidentally miss a daily dose, just take the next dose as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.