Aliskiren Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Aliskiren Tablet (generic name aliskiren) is a prescription medicine belonging to a class called renin inhibitors, also known by the brand name Tekturna. It is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and in children aged 6 years and older who weigh at least 50 kg. It works by blocking an enzyme called renin, which helps relax and widen blood vessels.

What is Aliskiren Tablet

Aliskiren is a prescription tablet used to treat high blood pressure. It belongs to a group of medicines called renin inhibitors and is known by the brand name Tekturna.

Aliskiren Tablet uses

• Treats high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults
• Treats high blood pressure in children aged 6 years and older who weigh at least 50 kg

Benefits of Aliskiren Tablet

• Helps lower blood pressure, reducing strain on the heart and arteries
• Lowering blood pressure helps reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney damage

How Aliskiren Tablet works

Aliskiren blocks an enzyme called renin that starts a chain reaction in the body which normally narrows blood vessels. By blocking this enzyme, the medicine relaxes and widens blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow and reducing the heart's workload.

Aliskiren Tablet dosage

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor, at the same time every day. You can take it with or without food, but take it the same way every day. Do not take this medicine with a high-fat meal, since this can reduce how well it is absorbed.

If you cannot swallow the tablet whole, ask your doctor about other available forms; do not chew or crush pellet forms if prescribed. Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well, since high blood pressure often has no symptoms. Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor first.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose—then skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Capsule containing pellets

Side effects of Aliskiren Tablet

Common

• Diarrhea
• Cough
• Headache
• Stomach discomfort or pain
• Back pain
• Dizziness
• Heartburn or indigestion
• Muscle aches
• Rash

Serious

• Signs of a severe allergic reaction (angioedema): swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, or legs, trouble breathing or swallowing, hives, or rash
• High potassium levels: muscle weakness, confusion, irregular or fast heartbeat, numbness or tingling, nausea, or difficulty breathing
• Kidney problems: decrease in how much or how often you urinate, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet, feeling tired or short of breath
• Low blood pressure: dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision

Warnings and precautions

• Do not combine this medicine with ACE inhibitors or ARBs (other blood pressure medicines), especially if you have diabetes or kidney disease, because this increases the risk of serious side effects.
• Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without checking with your doctor first, as this medicine can raise blood potassium to dangerous levels.
• This medicine should not be combined with cyclosporine or itraconazole unless your doctor specifically tells you to.
• Avoid eating a high-fat meal with this medicine, since fatty meals can greatly reduce how much of the medicine your body absorbs.
• Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. It can cause serious harm or death to an unborn baby, especially if taken during the second or third trimester. Stop the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• This medicine is not recommended while breastfeeding unless your doctor says it is absolutely necessary, since there isn't enough research on its safety for a nursing baby.
• This medicine can cause kidney problems, including kidney failure. Tell your doctor right away if you urinate less than usual. People with kidney disease need extra caution with this medicine. Kidney function and potassium should be monitored, and use with ACE inhibitors or ARBs can increase kidney-related risks, particularly with renal impairment.
• No routine dose adjustment is generally required solely for hepatic impairment.
• It isn't known exactly how this medicine interacts with alcohol, so it's best to ask your doctor before drinking.
• This medicine can cause dizziness or lightheadedness. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Storage

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light
• Keep from freezing
• Keep the tablets in their original container in a dry place
• Keep out of the reach of children and pets
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed
• Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you feel lightheaded like you might pass out, notice swelling or are urinating less, feel very tired or short of breath, or have symptoms of high potassium such as nausea, weakness, tingling, chest pain, or irregular heartbeat.
• Contact your doctor right away if you become sick with ongoing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, as this can cause dangerous loss of water or salt and very low blood pressure.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact a poison control center or go to an emergency room right away.

Alternatives

• Valsartan
• Losartan
• Enalapril
• Lisinopril