Health Canada wishes to inform healthcare professionals and patients of the risks associated with combining more than one of the following blood pressure medicines: aliskiren (renin inhibitor), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Recent studies have demonstrated that any combination of aliskiren, ACEIs or ARBs increases the risks of hypotension (low blood pressure), hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood) and kidney problems. Furthermore, aliskiren should not be taken in combination with ACEIs or with ARBs in patients with diabetes or kidney disease due to the additional risks of stroke and syncope (fainting) in these patients. The product labels have been updated to better reflect the new recommendations regarding the safe use of these medicines. A list of the products containing aliskiren, ACEIs or ARBs that are currently available in Canada is provided below.
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