irbesartan

Generic Name: irbesartan
Other Brand Names: Avapro
Overview Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose

What is irbesartan?

Irbesartan is in a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Irbesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow.

Irbesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is also used to treat kidney problems in people with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent) and hypertension.

Irbesartan may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking irbesartan?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to irbesartan.

Before taking irbesartan, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

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

  • liver disease;

  • congestive heart failure; or

  • high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia).

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use irbesartan, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Irbesartan may cause injury and even death to the unborn baby if you take it during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Do not use irbesartan without your doctor’s consent if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

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

How should I take irbesartan?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medication with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

You can take irbesartan with or without food.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Store irbesartan at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of irbesartan?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Where can I get more information about irbesartan?
Your pharmacist has information about irbesartan written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of irbesartan?

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

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • swelling, rapid weight gain;

  • chest pain, fast heart rate;

  • nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

  • painful or difficult urination; or

  • urinating more or less than usual, or not at all.

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

  • diarrhea, heartburn, upset stomach;

  • feeling tired, nervous, or anxious;

  • fever, chills, sore throat, stuffy nose, flu symptoms;

  • dizziness;

  • headache;

  • joint or muscle pain; or

  • dry cough.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about irbesartan?

Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Irbesartan may cause injury and even death to the unborn baby if you take it during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Irbesartan can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of irbesartan.

What should I avoid while taking irbesartan?

Irbesartan can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of irbesartan.

What other drugs will affect irbesartan?

Before taking irbesartan, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

  • potassium supplements or salt substitutes;

  • any other blood pressure medications; or

  • a diuretic (water pill).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use irbesartan, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect irbesartan. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What happens if I have an overdose of irbesartan?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of an irbesartan overdose may include fast or slow heartbeat, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008