Aliskiren is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure. This medicine helps to keep your blood pressure under control.
Take Aliskiren exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
This medicine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking Aliskiren even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Do not take Aliskiren together with other medicines used to treat high blood pressure (e.g. candesartan, captopril, cilazapril, enalapril, eprosartan, fosinopril, imidapril, irbesartan, lisinopril, losartan, moexipril, olmesartan, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, telmisartan, trandolapril, valsartan) if you have diabetes and kidney disease.
This medicine should also not be taken with itraconazole (medicine for fungal infection) and ciclosporin (medicine used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders).
Do not take Aliskiren if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child. You must use proven birth control methods while taking this medicine.
Inform your doctor if you have congestive heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood).
Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. He may also need to do routine blood tests while you are being treated with Aliskiren.
What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my blood pressure?
Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help lower your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Engage in physical activity (e.g. walking) at least 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week. If you have not exercised for a long time, start with light exercises such as slow walks. Speak to your doctor about what type of exercise would be suitable for you. Follow a healthy diet plan by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products and reduce your intake of foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Cutting down on deep-fried foods and using less salt when cooking can kick-start your healthy diet.
If you smoke, you should try to quit. Smoking is harmful to your blood pressure, heart and overall health. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to kick your smoking habit.
Try to keep stress levels under control as stress will cause your blood pressure to go up.
Aliskiren may cause dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, diarrhoea, tiredness, cough, back pain, and skin rash.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- muscle weakness, cramping or numbness; fast or irregular heartbeat
- yellowing of the skin and eyes
- rashes with skin peeling or blisters / rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Aliskiren together with other medicines used to treat high blood pressure (e.g. candesartan, captopril, cilazapril, enalapril, eprosartan, fosinopril, imidapril, irbesartan, lisinopril, losartan, moexipril, olmesartan, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, telmisartan, trandolapril, valsartan) if you have diabetes and kidney disease.
This medicine should also not be taken with itraconazole (medicine for fungal infection) and ciclosporin (medicine used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders).
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorder e.g. ciclosporin
- certain antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin
- diuretics or “water pills” e.g. furosemide
- rifampicin (medicine for TB)
- St. John's Wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Aliskiren.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol and excessive consumption (more than 1 litre a day) of grapefruit juice.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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