Aliskiren
About Aliskiren
Aliskiren is a prescription medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults. Keeping your blood pressure under control helps lower the risk of serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney damage. This medicine works best when taken regularly as part of a long-term treatment plan.
Take Aliskiren exactly as prescribed by your doctor, preferably at the same time every day. You may take it with or without food, but you should take it consistently in the same way each day because high-fat meals can reduce how much medicine your body absorbs. Continue taking this medicine even if you feel well, as high blood pressure often has no noticeable symptoms.
Common side effects include diarrhoea, dizziness, headache, and stomach discomfort. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, severe dizziness, fainting, difficulty breathing, reduced urination, or signs of high potassium such as muscle weakness or an irregular heartbeat.
Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, diabetes, severe dehydration, heart disease, or are taking medicines that affect the kidneys or potassium levels. Inform your healthcare provider about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, herbal products, and dietary supplements you are taking before beginning treatment.
Do not use this medicine during pregnancy because it can cause serious harm or death to an unborn baby. Women who become pregnant while taking this medicine should stop treatment immediately and contact their doctor. Breastfeeding is generally not recommended while taking Aliskiren. Older adults may require closer monitoring of kidney function, blood pressure, and potassium levels during treatment.
Uses of Aliskiren
Medicinal Benefits
When used as prescribed, Aliskiren offers several important benefits in the treatment of high blood pressure.
- Effectively lowers blood pressure: By reducing blood pressure, this medicine decreases the strain on your heart and blood vessels.
- Protects major organs: Long-term blood pressure control helps protect the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels from damage caused by uncontrolled hypertension.
- Reduces the risk of cardiovascular events: Maintaining healthy blood pressure lowers the likelihood of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and other serious cardiovascular complications.
- Supports long-term cardiovascular health: Consistent treatment helps maintain healthy circulation and contributes to better overall cardiovascular function.
Directions for Use
- Aliskiren can be taken with or without food as advised by the doctor.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication, to ensure the safety.
- Swallow Aliskiren as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Aliskiren
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Diarrhoea
- Mild dizziness or light-headedness
- Headache
- Stomach discomfort
- Back pain or joint pain
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (angioedema)
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Severe dizziness or fainting
- Signs of high potassium levels, such as muscle weakness, numbness, or an irregular heartbeat
- Reduced urine output or signs of worsening kidney function
- Severe allergic reactions, including rash or hives
Drug Warnings
- Take it consistently with regard to meals: Always take Aliskiren either with food or without food, but the same way every day, because high-fat meals reduce its absorption.
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly: Check your blood pressure as advised by your doctor and keep a record of your readings.
- Avoid potassium supplements unless prescribed: Do not use potassium supplements or potassium-containing salt substitutes unless your doctor recommends them, as this medicine may increase blood potassium levels.
- Tell your doctor about kidney problems: Regular blood tests may be needed to monitor your kidney function and potassium levels during treatment.
- Stand up slowly: Rise gradually from sitting or lying positions to reduce dizziness or light-headedness, especially when starting treatment.
- Pregnancy warning: Stop taking this medicine immediately and contact your doctor if you become pregnant, as it can seriously harm an unborn baby.
Inform healthcare professionals before procedures: Tell your doctor, dentist, or surgeon that you are taking Aliskiren before any medical or dental procedure. - When to seek urgent medical care: Seek immediate medical attention if you develop swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, severe dizziness, fainting, or symptoms of high potassium such as muscle weakness or an irregular heartbeat.
Drug Interactions
- ACE inhibitors and ARBs: Combining Aliskiren with an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), particularly in patients with diabetes or kidney impairment, increases the risk of kidney injury, high potassium levels, and severe low blood pressure and should generally be avoided.
- Cyclosporine, itraconazole, and other strong P-glycoprotein inhibitors: These medicines can significantly increase aliskiren levels in the body and should not be used together.
- Potassium supplements and potassium-sparing diuretics: These medicines may increase the risk of hyperkalaemia (high blood potassium levels) and require careful monitoring.
- Other blood pressure medicines: Taking additional antihypertensive medicines may increase the risk of excessive blood pressure lowering.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while on treatment with Aliskiren as it may worsen dizziness.
Pregnancy
unsafeAliskiren is not recommended for use during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters, as it may cause injury and death to the developing fetus. So when pregnancy is detected, Aliskiren should be discontinued as soon as possible.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Aliskiren passes into breast milk. You are recommended to avoid breastfeeding while taking Aliskiren. However, if you have any concerns regarding this, please discuss them with your doctor.
Driving
cautionAliskiren may cause dizziness or drowsiness. So, drive only if you are alert after taking Aliskiren.
Liver
consult your doctorIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before taking Aliskiren.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney diseases, inform your doctor before taking Aliskiren. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
unsafeAliskiren is not recommended for children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Follow a heart-healthy diet: Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while reducing saturated fat and processed foods to help manage your blood pressure.
- Reduce your sodium intake: Limiting salt in your diet helps improve blood pressure control and enhances the effectiveness of your medication.
- Stay well-hydrated: Drink enough fluids unless your doctor has advised fluid restriction. Dehydration may increase the risk of low blood pressure and kidney problems.
- Limit alcohol consumption: Alcohol can enhance the blood pressure-lowering effect of Aliskiren and increase dizziness or fainting.
- Exercise regularly: Engage in moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, for at least 150 minutes per week, or as recommended by your doctor.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Losing excess weight and avoiding tobacco use can significantly improve blood pressure control and reduce cardiovascular risk.
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly: Keep a record of your readings and share them with your healthcare provider during follow-up visits.
Special Advise
- Your blood pressure, kidney function, and the amount of electrolytes (e.g. potassium) in your blood may be monitored by your doctor at regular intervals.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Essential hypertension: It is high blood pressure without a known secondary cause. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a medical condition in which the blood pressure is elevated persistently in the arteries. High blood pressure is mostly caused by obesity, diabetes, smoking, high salt intake, stress, lack of physical activity, or ageing. Normal blood pressure lies between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. If the blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or greater, it is considered high blood pressure. If it is left untreated, it may lead to heart disease and stroke.
FAQs
Aliskiren is used to treat Essential hypertension (high blood pressure).
Aliskiren contains Aliskiren which works by inhibiting the action of renin, an enzyme that helps the body to produce angiotensin II (tightens and narrows blood vessels which increases blood pressure). Thus, it reduces the production of angiotensin II. This helps to relax and widen the blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
You are not recommended to take potassium supplements with Aliskiren as it may increase the levels of potassium in the blood (hyperkalaemia). However, please consult a doctor before taking other medicines or supplements with Aliskiren.
You are not recommended to take ibuprofen with Aliskiren as co-administration of these two medicines may reduce the effect of Aliskiren and increase the risk of impaired kidney function. However, if you experience loss of appetite, sudden weight loss or weight gain, weakness, muscle cramps, vomiting, nausea, decreased or increased urination, irregular heart rhythm and fluid retention, please consult a doctor immediately. If you are supposed to use these medicines together, you are advised to contact your doctor so that the dose may be adjusted to use safely.
Aliskiren usually starts working within two weeks after starting the treatment. However it may take 4 weeks to see full benefits. Therefore, it's important to continue taking Aliskiren as prescribed by your doctor and monitor your blood pressure regularly.
Yes, Aliskiren can cause fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Symptoms of fluid and electrolyte imbalance include dry mouth, thirst, weakness, lethargy, drowsiness, restlessness, muscle pains or cramps, muscular fatigue, hypotension, and gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea and vomiting. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. Therefore, It's important to monitor your electrolyte levels and stay hydrated while taking Aliskiren.
Yes, Aliskiren can cause hyperkalemia (high potassium levels in the blood). Therefore, monitor your potassium levels and kidney function while taking Aliskiren. If you experience symptoms like muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, or numbness, consult your doctor immediately.
Joint pain is a common side effect of Aliskiren. To manage this side effect, do light exercise or physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the affected joint. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on your joints. If the joint pain persists, please consult your doctor.
Serious side effects of Aliskiren include severe allergic reaction with symptoms such as rash, itching, swelling of face or lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these symptoms, please consult your doctor immediately.
Yes, Aliskiren can cause dizziness as a side effect. If you experience dizziness, it's important to sit or lie down until the symptoms disappear. Always carry some sugary food or fruit juice with you in case you experience dizziness while traveling. And also avoid such as driving or operating heavy machinery or activities that requires mental alertness until you know how the Aliskiren affects you.
Avoid taking Aliskiren with fruit juices and drinks containing plant extracts (including herbal teas), as they can decrease the effectiveness of Aliskiren. Avoid high-sodium foods, as they can counteract the blood pressure-lowering effects and also alcohol, as it can increase the risk of drowsiness and other side effects. Avoid high-fat meals, especially close to the time you take Aliskiren.
The common side effects of Aliskiren are dizziness, headache, back pain, diarrhoea, high levels of potassium in the blood or tiredness. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
No, you must not take Aliskiren during pregnancy. It can cause serious injury or death to an unborn baby, especially when taken during the second and third trimesters. If you find out you are pregnant, stop taking this medicine immediately and talk to your doctor.
You may start to see a reduction in your blood pressure within 2 weeks, but it can take up to 4 to 6 weeks of consistent daily use to experience the full benefit of the medication. Talk to your doctor if your blood pressure does not improve after several weeks.
Food, especially meals high in fat, drastically decreases the amount of the medicine that your body absorbs. By taking it the same way every day, you ensure that consistent amounts of the drug enter your system to keep your blood pressure stable. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need help establishing a routine.
Most salt substitutes contain potassium instead of sodium. Because Aliskiren can increase the levels of potassium in your blood, using these substitutes can lead to dangerously high blood potassium levels. Talk to your doctor before using any salt substitutes.
Severe and persistent diarrhea is a known side effect of this medicine and can lead to dehydration, which may damage your kidneys. If you experience severe diarrhea, stop taking the medication and talk to your doctor right away.
While a dry cough is much less common with Aliskiren than with some other blood pressure medicines, it can still occur in some patients. If you develop a persistent, dry cough that does not go away, talk to your doctor.
It is highly recommended to limit or avoid alcohol while taking this medicine. Alcohol can increase the blood pressure-lowering effect of the drug, which may cause severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting when you stand up. Talk to your doctor for personalized advice.
If you remember within a few hours, take the missed dose. However, if your next dose is less than 12 hours away, skip the missed dose entirely and return to your regular schedule. Never double the dose to catch up. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you frequently miss doses.
