Introduction
Rasilez is a medicine used in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). It lowers blood pressure by helping in relaxing blood vessels. Lowering the blood pressure helps to prevent future heart attack and stroke.
Rasilez should be taken regularly as advised by the doctor. You should take it with or without food and at a fixed time. You should never stop it abruptly without consulting the doctor. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel ill, but if you stop taking this medicine, your condition could get worse. This may lead to your blood pressure rising up again and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. This medicine is only one part of a treatment program which should also include a healthy diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation, moderation of alcohol intake and weight reduction. You can eat normally while taking this medicine, but try to reduce your salt intake.
It may cause side effects like diarrhea, dizziness, and joint pain. This medicine may not be suitable for some people. You must inform the doctor if you are suffering from any liver or kidney disease. Also, let your doctor know about all the other medications that you are using regularly. This medicine is not usually recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so always consult your doctor before taking it.
Uses of Rasilez
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Side effects of Rasilez
Common
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Joint pain
- Increased potassium level in blood
How to use Rasilez
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Rasilez may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Rasilez works
Rasilez is a direct renin inhibitor. It works by relaxing blood vessels which lower blood pressure and allows the heart to pump more efficiently.
What if you forget to take Rasilez?
If you miss a dose of Rasilez, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Indication
Oral
Essential hypertension
Adult: >18 yr 150 mg once daily, increased to 300 mg once daily if needed.
Elderly: No dosage adjustment needed.
Hepatic impairment: No dosage adjustment needed.
Administration
Increased risk of hypotension w/ other antihypertensives. Increased risk of acute renal failure w/ ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists or NSAIDs. Antihypertensive effect may be reduced w/ NSAIDs. Increased serum levels w/ atorvastatin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, verapamil. Significant decrease in furosemide concentrations w/ aliskiren. Increased risk of hyperkalaemia w/ potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements or any substances that may increase serum potassium levels.
Potentially Fatal: Increased risk of renal impairment, hypotension and hyperkalaemia w/ ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Markedly increased plasma concentration w/ ciclosporin, itraconazole and quinidine.
Adult Dose
Serious CHF, sodium or volume depletion. Discontinue if diarrhoea is severe and persistent. Lactation. Monitoring Parameters Periodically monitor serum potassium concentration and renal function.
Discontinue as soon as possible when pregnancy is detected; affects renin-angiotensin system causing oligohydramnios, which may result in fetal injury and/or death.
Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown/not recommended.
Child Dose
C (1st trimester), D (2nd & 3rd trimesters)
Renal Dose
Aliskiren is an orally active, potent, non-peptide and selective direct renin inhibitor used in the management of HTN. By inhibiting the enzyme renin, it prevents conversion of angiotensinogen into angiotensin I and therefore inhibits subsequent production of angiotensin II and aldosterone. Unlike ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists which cause a compensatory rise in plasma renin activity, treatment w/ aliskiren decreases plasma renin activity and concentrations of angiotensin I, angiotensin II and aldosterone .
Mode of Action
Administration May be taken with or without food. Take consistently w/ or w/o meals. Avoid taking w/ high fat meals.
Side Effect
Renal Impairment Mild to moderate: No dosage adjustment needed. Severe: Contraindicated.
Pregnancy Category Note
1-10%
Diarrhea (2.3%),Cough (1.1%),Rash (1%),Increase in serum creatinine (<7%),Hyperkalemia (<1%)
<1%
Angioedema,Headache,Gout,Renal stones,Seizure,Severe hypotension,Rhabomyolysis,Toxic epidermal necrolysis,Increase in uric acid,Angina
Potentially Fatal: Anaphylactic reactions.
Interaction
History of angioedema; severe renal impairment. Concomitant use w/ ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists in patients w/ DM and renal impairment (GFR <60 mL/min). Concomitant use w/ ciclosporin, itraconazole and quinidine. Pregnancy.