Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Valsartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure improves blood flow.

The combination of hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or valsartan, or if you are unable to urinate.

Do not use hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan.

Before using hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure, kidney or liver disease, asthma, low or high blood levels of potassium, gout, lupus, diabetes, glaucoma, or an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin.

Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan, unless your doctor has told you to.

In rare cases, hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or valsartan, or if you are unable to urinate.

To make sure you can safely take hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• congestive heart failure;

• asthma or allergies;

• low or high levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood;

• gout;

• lupus;

• glaucoma;

• diabetes; or

• an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan.

It is not known whether hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.