Irbesartan

Generic name: Irbesartan
Brand names: Avapro
Dosage form: oral tablet (150 mg; 300 mg; 75 mg)
Drug class: Angiotensin receptor blockers

Usage of Irbesartan

Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (sometimes called an ARB).

Irbesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children at least 6 years old. Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Irbesartan is also used to treat kidney problems caused by type 2 diabetes.

Irbesartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Irbesartan side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Irbesartan may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

little or no urination;

high potassium level--nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement.

Common side effects of irbesartan may include:

dizziness;

feeling light-headed; or

high potassium.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Irbesartan

You should not use irbesartan if you are allergic to it.

If you have diabetes, do not take irbesartan with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

You may also need to avoid taking irbesartan with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

a heart condition other than one being treated with irbesartan;

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or

if you are on a low-salt diet.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Irbesartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

If you plan to get pregnant, ask your doctor for a safer medicine to use before and during pregnancy. Having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications in the mother and the baby.

You should not breastfeed while using irbesartan.

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How to use Irbesartan

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 150 mg orally once a day-Maintenance 150 to 300 mg orally once a day Maximum dose: 300 mg orally once a dayComments: -May be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents. Use: Treatment of hypertension.

Usual Adult Dose for Diabetic Nephropathy:

300 mg orally once a dayComments: -This drug has been shown to reduce the rate of progression of nephropathy as measured by the occurrence of doubling of serum creatinine or ESRD (need for dialysis or renal transplantation).Use: Treatment of diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension with an elevated serum creatinine and proteinuria (greater than 300 mg/day).

Warnings

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

If you have diabetes, do not take irbesartan with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

What other drugs will affect Irbesartan

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

heart or blood pressure medication;

lithium; or

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect irbesartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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