Tekturna (aliskiren) is a medication used to manage high blood pressure (hypertension). According to MedlinePlus, Tekturna is a direct renin inhibitor and its main goal is to decrease renin, a substance made in your kidneys responsible for constricting your blood vessels. Tekturna is available as a tablet, and your doctor will decide its dosage depending upon the severity of your high blood pressure.
Common Side Effects
According to MedlinePlus, Tekturna's most common side effects include heartburn, diarrhea, stomach pain, a cough and a rash. Heartburn is typically the result of acid reflux. Here, your stomach acid backs up into your esophagus. This can cause damage to the thin mucosal lining of your digestive tract. Prolonged heartburn can lead to ulcer formation and a serious and precancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus. Excessive bouts of diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration and hypokalemia (low potassium levels). Drink plenty of water in order to replace the fluids you've lost. Inform your doctor if these effects last for three to five days.
Serious Side Effects
Drugs.com indicates that Texturna can cause such life-threatening side effects as bradycardia (slow heartbeat) and fainting. Bradycardia causes less blood to be pumped to the rest of your body. When your organs do not receive enough blood for a prolonged period of time, you may go into organ failure. This is medically known as shock. Fainting occurs when blood does not reach your brain. Other serious side effects include eye swelling and lightheadedness. Furthermore, MedlinePlus indicates that you can also develop trouble breathing, dysphagia (trouble swallowing) and peripheral edema (swelling of your arms or legs). Inform your doctor if Tekturna causes these side effects.
Additional Concerns
You should avoid Tekturna if you are allergic to aliskiren. Such potentially life-threatening side effects as hives, trouble breathing and swelling of your throat, face or tongue can result. This is an emergency that requires immediate medical assistance.
According to the National Library of Medicine, Tekturna can cause fetal death if you take this medication when pregnant. Discontinue this medication as soon as you find out you are pregnant and call your doctor. She will give you an alternative high blood pressure medication.
Inform your doctor if you suffer from kidney or liver problems or systemic lupus erythematosis, an autoimmune disease in which your body attacks its own DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Tekturna may exacerbate these conditions.
Avoid combining Tekturna with such medications as atorvastatin, cyclosporine, furosemide, potassium supplements or diuretics (water pills). Tekturna may lead to the aforementioned side effects.
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