I. Avapro fact file
Generic Avapro is manufactured by Sanofi-Synthelabo.
Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc. is the U.S. affiliate of the global pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis.
Sanofi-Aventis group is Number 1 in Europe and Number 3 worldwide in the Pharmaceutical industry. This group is present in more than 100 countries throughout the 5 continents.
Sanofi-Synthelabo's principal area of business is ethical pharmaceuticals. The core therapeutic areas of Sanofi-Synthelabo are cardiovascular disease and thrombosis; diseases of the central nervous system; oncology; and internal medicine.
II Avapro Medication:
Generic Avapro is an Angiotensin receptor blocker. Angiotensin receptor blockers are used for the treatment of high blood pressure, treatment of heart failure and prevention of kidney failure in diabetics.
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers: Information
Angiotensin is a chemical that your body creates. Angiotensin is a chemical that your body naturally uses to maintain a constant blood pressure.
If your blood pressure suddenly became too low, you could get a stroke. Also, adequate blood pressure is necessary for the kidneys to do their job of filtering out the blood of waste products and toxic compounds.
Angiotensin is used by the human body as a blood pressure elevator. Angiotensin acts as a powerful vasoconstrictor (it causes your blood vessels to tighten up thereby reducing their inner diameter).
Angiotensin receptor blockers form a protective shield on the blood vessels so that the angiotensin's ability to tighten up your blood vessels is reduced. If the angiotensin cannot do this, the blood vessels remain in a relaxed state and blood pressure remains low.
Unlike the ACE inhibitors, angiotensin blockers do not cause a cough as a side effect. These are often substituted for ACE inhibitors when a cough develops in someone who is otherwise benefiting from the ACE inhibitor. They can either help or adversely affect kidney function and raise the potassium level just as ACE inhibitors may do. They have an anti-inflammatory effect on the walls of the blood vessels.
If you take an angiotensin II receptor blocker:
- You are less likely to have to go to hospital because of heart failure
- You are less likely to die of heart failure. The evidence for this is not as strong as it is for ACE inhibitors.
Side Effects of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
- Low blood pressure is the most common side effect with angiotensin II receptor blockers. ARBs can also worsen kidney function and raise potassium levels.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or faintness upon rising: This side effect may be strongest after the first dose, especially if you have been taking a diuretic (water pill). Get up more slowly. Contact your doctor if these symptoms are persistent or severe.
- Physical problems: Diarrhea, muscle cramps or weakness, back or leg pain, insomnia (difficulty sleeping), irregular heartbeat, or fast or slow heartbeat, sinusitis or upper respiratory infection. Contact your doctor if these symptoms are persistent or severe.
- Confusion: Contact your doctor right away.
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea: If you become sick with severe vomiting or diarrhea you may become dehydrated, which can lead to low blood pressure. Contact your doctor.
Alternate uses of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB's) are primarily used to treat high blood pressure. However there is a growing body of evidence that these drugs are useful in the treatment of other cardiac diseases such as stroke and heart attack.
They also seem to have a beneficial effect on the kidney, particularly the kidneys of people with diabetes.
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III. Useful links
Government http://www.cdc.gov/
http://www.fda.gov/
http://www.fda.gov/cder/ogd/
http://www.nih.gov/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/
National Library of Medicine
World Health Organization
Health Sites
http://www.mayoclinic.com/index.cfm
MedicineNet.com
Drugdigest.org
Healthsquare.com
Pharmacy sites
Sanofi-Aventis
http://www.hsforum.com/stories/storyReader$1509 ,
http://www.hsforum.com/stories/storyReader$1504,
http://www.people.vcu.edu/~urdesai/atc.htm#Process%20of%20clotting
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