aliskiren
Aliskiren (Tekturna) is a medication that helps lower your blood pressure. It's a tablet that's typically taken just once daily. Aliskiren (Tekturna) doesn't have many side effects, though it can sometimes cause mild diarrhea and stomach upset. This medication has both a brand-name and a generic version.
What is Aliskiren (Tekturna)?
What is Aliskiren (Tekturna) used for?
High blood pressure
How Aliskiren (Tekturna) works
Aliskiren (Tekturna) is a direct renin inhibitor. It blocks renin, an enzyme (protein) in your body that plays a role in tightening your blood vessels and raising blood pressure. By blocking renin, aliskiren (Tekturna) allows your blood vessels to relax, which helps lower your blood pressure.
Drug Facts
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What are the side effects of Aliskiren (Tekturna)?
Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea
Other Side Effects
- Stomach pain
- Indigestion
- Acid reflux
- Cough
- Rash
Serious Side Effects
- Serious allergic reactions: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat, or other body parts
- Very high potassium levels: nausea, muscle weakness, chest pain, tingling or numbness, irregular heartbeat
- Kidney problems: fatigue, confusion, swelling in your feet or ankles, little to no urination
- Seizures
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Body aches or pain
chills
difficulty with breathing
ear congestion
headache
loss of voice
unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
Ankle, knee, or great toe joint pain
blood in the urine
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loss of bladder control
loss of consciousness
lower back or side pain
pain in the groin or genitals
sharp back pain just below the ribs
swelling of the feet or lower legs
vomiting
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
rapid weight gain
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
tingling of the hands or feet
unusual weight gain or loss
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Aliskiren (Tekturna)
Pros
Once-daily dosing
Has very few side effects compared to other blood pressure medications
Can use in children as young as 6 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds
Cons
Not a first-choice medication for lowering blood pressure
Can't use if you have diabetes and also take an ACE inhibitor or ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker)
Might not be safe if you have severe kidney problems
Not safe if you're pregnant
Pharmacist tips for Aliskiren (Tekturna)
Take aliskiren (Tekturna) around the same time every day. You can take it with or without food, but it's best to be consistent. If you take aliskiren (Tekturna) with food though, avoid taking it with very fatty meals because this can lower how much medication gets absorbed into your body.
You might feel a little dizzy for the first few days after starting aliskiren (Tekturna). This should get better over time as your body adjusts to your lower blood pressure. Tell your healthcare provider if your dizziness doesn't get better after a few days.
If you develop a dry cough after starting aliskiren (Tekturna) and it doesn't get any better, let your healthcare provider know. This might be a side effect from aliskiren (Tekturna), but it could also be caused by something else.
It's a good idea to check your blood pressure regularly to make sure that it's not too high or too low. Keep a log of your blood pressure readings and make sure to bring it with you to your follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider. They can discuss with you about any changes to your treatment plan, if needed.
Frequently asked questions about Aliskiren (Tekturna)
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What are the risks and warnings for Aliskiren (Tekturna)?
Aliskiren (Tekturna) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Harm to unborn baby
Aliskiren (Tekturna) can cause serious harm or even death to unborn babies when taken during pregnancy. If you're pregnant or think you might be pregnant, stop taking aliskiren (Tekturna) right away and talk to your healthcare provider.
Allergic reactions (swelling in the face or other body parts)
Serious and sometimes life-threatening allergic reactions are possible when you take aliskiren (Tekturna). These reactions can include anaphylaxis, angioedema (swelling around the eyes, lips, face, throat, hands, or feet), and difficulty breathing. These allergic reactions can happen at any time while you're taking aliskiren (Tekturna). Get medical help or call 911 right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Low blood pressure
Risk factors: Taking other medications that lower blood pressure | Dehydration | Low amount of salt in body
Aliskiren (Tekturna) lowers your blood pressure. Because of this, you might feel lightheaded or dizzy, especially when you first start the medication. These symptoms can be especially severe if you're dehydrated, have a low amount of salt in your body, or are taking other blood pressure medications. This effect tends to go away as you continue taking aliskiren (Tekturna).
High potassium levels (hyperkalemia)
Risk factors: Current kidney problems | Diabetes | Taking other medications that raise potassium levels | Use of certain salt substitutes
Aliskiren (Tekturna) can raise the amount of potassium in your body. Having potassium levels that are too high can cause issues, including heart rhythm problems. Your risk might be higher if you already have kidney problems or take other medications that can raise potassium levels. Your provider will check your blood routinely to make sure your potassium level is normal. If you have any muscle weakness, chest pain, tingling or numbness, or irregular heartbeat, tell your provider right away.
Kidney problems
Risk factors: History of kidney problems | Heart failure | Dehydration | Taking medications that can affect the kidney
Aliskiren (Tekturna) can affect your kidney function, which can rarely include kidney failure. You're at risk if you already have a kidney problem or you also take other medications that can harm the kidney. You'll need blood tests done to check your kidney function before starting aliskiren (Tekturna) and regularly thereafter. Tell your provider if you aren't urinating as much as usual or if your urine is dark in color even when you're sufficiently hydrated.
Risks when taking with an ACE inhibitor or ARB
Risk factors: Diabetes | Kidney problems
Aliskiren (Tekturna) cannot be used in people with diabetes who are also taking an ACE inhibitor or ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker). People with diabetes who take these medications together with aliskiren (Tekturna) are at higher risk of serious kidney damage, high blood potassium levels, and dangerously low blood pressure. Because of these same risks, it's also generally recommended to avoid taking aliskiren (Tekturna) with ACE inhibitors or ARBs, especially if you have kidney problems.
Dangerous interaction with certain medications
Risk factors: Taking cyclosporine (Neoral or Sandimmune) or itraconazole (Sporanox)
Don't take aliskiren (Tekturna) if you're currently taking cyclosporine (Neoral or Sandimmune) or itraconazole (Sporanox). When taken together, these medications can raise the amount of aliskiren (Tekturna) in your body by a lot, which can potentially lead to serious side effects. Make sure to tell your provider about all the medications you're taking from all the providers you see.
Aliskiren (Tekturna) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Aliskiren (Tekturna)
Adults and children age 6 years or older who weigh at least 110 lbs: The typical starting dose is 150 mg by mouth once daily. If you still need more blood pressure control, your provider might raise your dose to 300 mg once daily.
Interactions between Aliskiren (Tekturna) and other drugs
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Azilsartan
- Azilsartan Medoxomil
- Benazepril
- Candesartan
- Captopril
- Enalapril
- Enalaprilat
- Eprosartan
- Fosinopril
- Irbesartan
- Lisinopril
- Losartan
- Moexipril
- Olmesartan Medoxomil
- Perindopril
- Quinapril
- Ramipril
- Telmisartan
- Trandolapril
- Valsartan
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Capmatinib
- Cyclosporine
- Itraconazole
- Lasmiditan
- Simeprevir
- Venetoclax
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
How much does Aliskiren (Tekturna) cost?
Aliskiren (Tekturna) contraindications
Have diabetes and take ACE inhibitors or ARBs
Children younger than 2 years of age
What are alternatives to Aliskiren (Tekturna)?
High blood pressure
Heart failure
Lower the risk for death after a heart attack
Lower the risk of stroke in people with high blood pressure who have a thickened heart (left ventricular hypertrophy)
Slow down the worsening of kidney problems in people with Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure
What is the latest news about Aliskiren (Tekturna)?
Aliskiren (Tekturna) images
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References
Best studies we foundFood and Drug Administration. (2012). FDA Drug Safety Communication: New Warning and Contraindication for blood pressure medicines containing aliskiren (Tekturna).
Merck & Co, Inc. (n.d.). Regulating blood pressure: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
Parving, H. H., et al. (2012). Cardiorenal end points in a trial of aliskiren for type 2 diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine.
Prasco Laboratories. (2023). ALISKIREN- aliskiren hemifumarate tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
Tarbox, J. A., et al. (2018). Angioedema. JAMA.
Whelton, P. K., et al. (2018). 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
White, W. B., et al. (2010). Safety and tolerability of the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren: A pooled analysis of clinical experience in more than 12,000 patients with hypertension. The Journal of Clinical Hypertension.
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