Product Name

• Aprovasc 150/5, Reduce Blood Pressure, Prevent Hypertension Complication - 28 Tablets

Scientific Name

• Irbesartan 150 Mg + Amlodipine 5 Mg Tablets

Category Of Aprovasc 150/5 Tablets

• Anti-Hypertensive Drugs

Mechanism Of Action Of Irbesartan & Amlodipine

• Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It works by blocking a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to constrict.
• As a result, Irbesartan relaxes the blood vessels. This lowers blood pressure and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.
• Amlodipine inhibits calcium ion influx across cell membranes, with a greater effect on vascular smooth muscle cells. This causes vasodilation and a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance, thus lowering blood pressure.

Therapeutic Indications Of Aprovasc 150/5 Tablets

• Aprovasc is indicated in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled on irbesartan or amlodipine monotherapy
• High blood pressure is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease.
• Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions.

Method Of Administration Of Aprovasc 150/5 Tablets

• Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
• The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.
• You should try to take your daily dose at about the same time each day.
• You must continue to take the drug until your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Do not break the tablet in half
• You can take the tablet with or without food.
• High blood pressure: The usual dose of the tablets is one tablet once daily, but your doctor may increase the dose to reach the targeted blood pressure
• Doses may be changed in special conditions so always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions.
• If you take more than you should, talk to a doctor or go to the hospital straight away.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember it unless it is nearly time for your next dose.
• Do not take a double dose (two doses at the same time) to make up for the forgotten dose.

Undesirable Side Effects Of Aprovasc 150/5 Tablets

• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Mood changes
• Headache
• Hypoesthesia
• Paresthesia
• Tremor
• Flushing
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Taste perversion
• Syncope
• Somnolence
• Palpitations

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Precautions While Taking Aprovasc 150/5 Tablets

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Non-Pharmacological Treatments & Advice To Reduce Blood Pressure

• To measure blood pressure correctly:

1. Don’t eat or drink anything 30 minutes before you take your blood pressure.
2. Empty your bladder before your reading.
3. Sit in a comfortable chair with your back supported for at least 5 minutes before your reading.
4. Put both feet flat on the ground and keep your legs uncrossed.
5. Rest your arm with the cuff on a table at chest height.
6. Make sure the blood pressure cuff is snug but not too tight. The cuff should be against your bare skin, not over clothing.
7. Do not talk while your blood pressure is being measured.

• You will also find the following Non-Pharmacological treatments effective in blood pressure reduction:

1. Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline
2. Exercise regularly
3. Eat a healthy diet
4. Reduce sodium in your diet
5. Quit smoking
6. Reduce caffeine
7. Reduce your stress
8. Monitor your blood pressure at home using for example Beurer, Blood Pressure Monitor or Omron Blood Pressure Measuring Device
9. See your doctor regularly

Warnings & Special Precautions while Taking Aprovasc 150/5 Tablets

• Due to the presence of both irbesartan and amlodipine, Aprovasc is contraindicated in:

1. hypersensitivity to either or both of the active substances or any of the formulation components
2. hypersensitivity to dihydropyridines
3. cardiogenic shock, clinically significant aortic stenosis, unstable angina (excluding Prinzmetal’s angina)

• Irbesartan has been rarely associated with hypotension in hypertensive patients without other co-morbid conditions
• As with other calcium antagonists, amlodipine’s half-life is prolonged in patients with impaired liver function
• Cimetidine: Co-administration of amlodipine with cimetidine did not alter the pharmacokinetics of amlodipine.
• Grapefruit juice: Co-administration of 240 mL of grapefruit juice with a single oral dose of amlodipine 10 mg in 20 healthy volunteers had no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of amlodipine.
• Sildenafil: When amlodipine and sildenafil were used in combination, each agent independently exerted its blood pressure-lowering effect.
• Atorvastatin: Co-administration of multiple 10 mg doses of amlodipine with 80 mg of atorvastatin resulted in no significant change in the steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters of atorvastatin.
• Digoxin: Co-administration of amlodipine with digoxin did not change serum digoxin levels or digoxin renal clearance in healthy volunteers.
• Warfarin: Co-administration of amlodipine did not change warfarin prothrombin response time.
• Cyclosporine: Pharmacokinetic studies with cyclosporine have demonstrated that amlodipine does not significantly alter the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine

Storage Conditions Of Aprovasc 150/5 Tablets

• Store below 25°c
• Don’t refrigerate
• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Store in the original package to protect from moisture.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the box/blisters/label. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.

Normal Ranges

• Normal: Blood pressure numbers of less than 120/80 mm Hg
• Elevated: is when readings consistently range from 120-129 systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic.
• Hypertension Stage 1: is when blood pressure consistently ranges from 130-139 systolic or 80-89 mm Hg diastolic.
• Hypertension Stage 2: is when blood pressure consistently ranges at 140/90 mm Hg or higher.
• Hypertensive crisis: This stage of high blood pressure requires medical attention. If your blood pressure readings suddenly exceed 180/120 mm Hg, wait five minutes and then test your blood pressure again. If your readings are still unusually high, contact your doctor immediately. You could be experiencing a hypertensive crisis.

For More Information About Irbesartan & Amlodipine

• Ask your physician or pharmacist
• Visit SFDA website
• Visit Medscape at information About Irbesartan & Amlodipine
• Visit Drugs.com at information About Irbesartan & Amlodipine