Aliskiren

Generic name: aliskiren [ a-LIS-ke-rin ]
Brand name: Tekturna
Dosage form: oral tablet (150 mg; 300 mg)
Drug class: Renin inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jan 20, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is aliskiren?

Aliskiren is blood pressure medicine. It works by decreasing substances in the body that narrow blood vessels and raise blood pressure.

Aliskiren is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Aliskiren may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking aliskiren and tell your doctor right away.

If you have diabetes, do not use aliskiren together with certain heart or blood pressure medicines (such as Avalide, Benicar, Byvalson, Cozaar, Hyzaar, Diovan, Exforge, Lotrel, Monopril, Vasotec, Vasoretic, Zestoretic, and many others).

Before taking this medicine

You should not take aliskiren if you are allergic to it.

If you have diabetes, do not use aliskiren together with certain heart or blood pressure medicines, such as:

• azilsartan (Edarbi, Edarbyclor), candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar), olmesartan (Azar, Benicar), telmisartan (Micardis, Twynsta), or valsartan (Byvalson, Diovan, Entresto, Exforge, Tribenzor); or

• benazepril (Lotensin, Lotrel), captopril (Capoten, Capozide), enalapril (Vasotec, Vasoretic), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestoretic, Zestril), moexipril (Uniretic, Univasc), perindopril (Aceon, Prestalia), quinapril (Accupril, Accuretic), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik, Tarka).

You may also need to avoid taking these medicines with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any heart or blood pressure medicine;

• kidney disease;

• heart disease, a heart attack; or

• if you are on a low-salt diet.

Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away. Aliskiren can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Aliskiren is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old, and should never be given to a child under 2 years of age.

How should I take aliskiren?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take aliskiren with or without food, but take it the same way every time.

You may have very low blood pressure while taking aliskiren. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you feel light-headed.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

It may take up to 2 weeks before your blood pressure improves. Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep the tablets in their original container, along with the packet or canister of moisture-absorbing preservative.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking aliskiren?

Avoid drinking alcohol.

Avoid taking aliskiren with a high-fat meal, or it could be harder for your body to absorb aliskiren.

Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking aliskiren, unless your doctor has told you to.

Get up slowly from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Aliskiren side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching; vomiting, severe stomach pain; dizziness, chest tightness, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

If you have an allergic reaction to aliskiren you should not take it again.

Aliskiren may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• little or no urination;

• high potassium--nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement; or

• low levels of sodium in the body--headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.

Common side effects of aliskiren may include:

• diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Aliskiren dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial: 150 mg orally once a day
Maintenance: the dosage may be increased to 300 mg daily if blood pressure is not adequately controlled.

Comments:
-The antihypertensive effect is substantially attained by 2 weeks.
-Tablets should be taken the same way each day, either with or without a meal. (High-fat meals decrease absorption of aliskiren substantially).
Aliskiren may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension:

6 TO 17 YEARS:
Less than 20 kg: Not recommended
20 to 50 kg (not approved for use due to the lack of an appropriate dosage form): 75 mg orally once a day; if blood pressure remains inadequately controlled, the daily dose may be increased to 150 mg
50 kg or greater: 150 mg orally once a day; if blood pressure remains inadequately controlled, the daily dose may be increased to 300 mg

Comments: The antihypertensive effect of a given dose is 85% to 90% attained by 2 weeks.

What other drugs will affect aliskiren?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• any other heart or blood pressure medicines;

• cyclosporine;

• itraconazole;

• a diuretic or "water pill"; or

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with aliskiren, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 15.01.