Teveten Plus (Eprosartan Mesylate/Hydrochlorothiazide)

Serious Warnings and Precautions—Pregnancy

TEVETEN should not be used during pregnancy. If you discover that you are pregnant while taking TEVETEN, stop the medication and contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist as soon as possible.

BEFORE you use TEVETEN talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you:

• have experienced an allergic reaction to any drug used to lower blood pressure.
• have narrowing of a heart valve, heart or blood vessel disease.
• have diabetes, liver or kidney disease.
• are dehydrated or suffer from excessive vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating.
• are taking a salt substitute that contains potassium, potassium supplements, or a potassium-sparing diuretic (a specific kind of “water pill” that makes your body keep potassium).
• are on a low-salt diet.
• are on dialysis.
• are less than 18 years old.
• you are taking other medicines to control blood pressure.
• are taking a medicine that contains aliskiren, such as Rasilez, used to lower high blood pressure. The combination with TEVETENis not recommended.
• are taking an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI). You can recognize ACEIs because their medicinal ingredient ends in ‘-PRIL’.
• you produce too much of a hormone called aldosterone.
• you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars.

Driving and using machines:

Before you perform tasks which may require special attention, wait until you know how you respond to TEVETEN. Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting can especially occur after the first dose and when the dose is increased.

Side effects may include:

• back or leg pain, muscle cramps
• headache
• diarrhea, vomiting
• rash
• drowsiness, insomnia
• dizziness
• lightheadedness
• cough
• rhinitis
• fatigue, weakness or tiredness.

As with most medicines, interactions with other drugs are possible. Tell your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about all the medicines you take, including drugs prescribed by other doctors, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements, or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with TEVETEN:

agents increasing serum potassium, such as a salt substitute that contains potassium, potassium supplements, or a potassium-sparing diuretic (a specific kind of “water pill”).
blood pressure-lowering drugs, including diuretics (“water pills”), aliskiren-containing products (e.g. Rasilez), or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs).
lithium used to treat mood disorder.
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), used to reduce pain and swelling. Examples include ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, and indometacin.
medicines that increase potassium levels, such as heparin.

Take TEVETEN exactly as prescribed. It is recommended to take your dose at about the same time everyday.

Usual adult dose:

Follow the doctor's instructions about how and when to take your medicine. The doctor will decide how many tablets you need to take each day and for how long. If you have any questions about your medicine and how to take it, please ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medicine is for the person named by the doctor. Never give it to others.

TEVETEN can be taken with or without food, but it should be taken consistently with respect to food intake and at the same time every day. TEVETEN should be swallowed with water.

Keep taking your medicine for as long as the doctor tells you. It may be necessary for the doctor to increase or decrease the dose. Your tablets may look different (color/shape) if the dose is changed. Continue to follow the doctor's instructions.

Overdose:

If you think you have taken too much TEVETEN contact your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Missed dose:

If you have forgotten to take your dose during the day, carry on with the next one at the usual time. Do not double dose.