Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide
About
Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide is an 'anti-hypertensives' medication primarily used for lowering high blood pressure (hypertension) by removing extra fluid (electrolytes) from the body. High blood pressure is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against the artery wall is high. As a result, it increases the risk of heart-related diseases like heart attack, heart failure, stroke, irregular heartbeat, and other complications.
Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of two medicines, namely: Irbesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide. Irbesartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that blocks the hormone angiotensin, thereby relaxing and widening the narrowed blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels, and the heart can pump more efficiently. On the other hand, Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic or water pill that works by removing extra water/fluid and certain electrolyte overload from the body. Together, Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide lowers fluid overload, raised blood pressure, improves blood flow, and reduces the future risk of a heart attack and stroke.
Take Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide as prescribed. Your doctor will advise you on how often you take your tablets based on your medical condition. You may experience nausea, taste change, upset stomach, diarrhoea, dizziness, headache, electrolyte imbalance, and decreased blood pressure in some cases. Most of these side effects of Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes unless the doctor has told you. If you notice unexplained muscle pain, dark colour urine, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever or unexplained tiredness, immediately contact the doctor. Try not to stop taking this medicine of your own. Let your doctor know about this, as it may cause a rise in blood pressure and increase heart disease and stroke risk. Inform your doctor if you are suffering from any kidney or liver or heart disease or are diabetic. Do not use Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide if you cannot urinate, are dehydrated, have low blood pressure (hypotension), and have or have had cardiogenic shock (sudden stopping of blood flow to the heart). Please tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines or are allergic to this medicine. Reducing table salt (sodium chloride) in your food often helps lower blood pressure. Do not take Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide if you are more than 3 months pregnant, if you have diabetes or impaired kidney function; if you suffer from potassium deficiency (hypokalaemia)/sodium deficiency (hyponatraemia), gout (Pain and inflammation occur when a high amount of uric acid crystallises and deposits in the joints). Check your serum electrolytes, creatinine and urea, serum lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides), uric acid, and blood sugar levels regularly as advised by your doctor.
Uses of Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide
Medicinal Benefits
Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide is primarily used to reduce high blood pressure. It is a combination of two medicines, namely: Irbesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide. Irbesartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that blocks the hormone angiotensin, thereby relaxing and widening the narrowed blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels, and the heart can pump more efficiently. On the other hand, Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic or water pill that works by removing extra water/fluid and certain electrolyte overload from the body. Together, Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide lowers fluid overload, raised blood pressure, improves blood flow, and reduces the future risk of a heart attack and stroke.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide
- Nausea
- Taste change
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Decreased blood pressure
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor before taking Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide, if you are already taking medicine that has aliskiren in it if you have diabetes or kidney problems, if you have severe liver disease, if you suffer from gout, potassium deficiency (hypokalaemia)/sodium deficiency (hyponatremia). Stop taking Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide if you experience pronounced gastrointestinal troubles, blood count changes, disorders of the central nervous system, or allergic reactions. Inform your doctor before taking Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide about all your ongoing medications. Your doctor may check your blood pressure, kidney function, and the number of electrolytes in the blood at regular intervals. Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide should not be given to children and adolescents under 18 years of age. Drink sufficient quantities of liquid while on this medication. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide as it is a category D pregnancy drug and can harm the baby.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: This medicine may interact with aliskiren (medicine for high blood pressure), lithium (medicine for major depressive disorder), painkillers, Metformin (diabetes medicine), Allopurinol (medicine for jaundice), Cholestyramine (medicine for diarrhoea), Vitamin D supplements, Carbamazepine (medicine for epilepsy), and Methyldopa (medicine for hypertension).
Drug-Food Interactions: Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide may interact with high potassium-containing food and drinks. So, if you are using any of the OTC items, please tell your doctor. Also, alcohol should not be consumed while taking Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide.
Drug-Disease Interactions: The efficacy of Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide is affected, and the disease condition may even worsen if taken in patients with a recent or history of heart attack, low blood pressure, low potassium level, low electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, etc.), severe liver disease, anuria (non-passage of urine), angioedema (an allergic condition with swelling under the skin), kidney disease, asthma, diabetes.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol and Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide to avoid unpleasant side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and liver damage.
Pregnancy
unsafeIrbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended during pregnancy as it is a category D pregnancy drug. This medicine may cause fetal damage and can affect the unborn baby (fetus).
Breast Feeding
cautionIrbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide is known to pass breast milk, but its effect on the baby is not known. So, before breastfeeding, let your doctor know about this.
Driving
cautionDrive with caution, Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide usually causes drowsiness and affects driving ability.
Liver
cautionIrbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide to be taken with caution, especially if you have had a history of liver disease. Your doctor will have to change the dosage depending on your medical condition and your reaction to treatment.
Kidney
cautionIrbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide to be taken with caution, especially if you have had a history of kidney disease. Your doctor will have to change the dosage depending on your medical condition and your reaction to treatment.
Children
unsafeEfficacy and safety of Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide have not been established in children. So, Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide should not be given to children under 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with a BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- Do regular physical activity or exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week. Doing this can help you to lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm of Hg.
- Limit intake of sodium chloride (table salt) in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
- If you are taking alcohol, then only one serving for women and two servings for men is advisable.
- Quitting smoking is the best strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
- Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spent time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily and if there is too much fluctuation, then immediately contact your doctor.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids containing food and drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while using Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide unless your doctor has told you to do so.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Blood pressure is the measurement of the force that our heart uses to pump blood to all parts of the body. Raised blood pressure can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when the blood supply to the heart is blocked). Additionally, high blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. High blood pressure can be diagnosed with the help of a blood pressure monitor or sphygmomanometer. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is when your heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg, and diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60 mm of Hg and 120/80 mm of Hg.
FAQs
Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of two medicines, namely: Irbesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide. Irbesartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that blocks the hormone angiotensin and relaxes blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels, and the heart can pump more efficiently. Hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic or water pill), removes extra water and certain electrolytes from the body. Together, both lower fluid overload, blood pressure, improves blood flow, and reduce the future risk of a heart attack.
Yes, Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide can cause dizziness. It is advised to avoid driving or operate any heavy machinery while taking Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide. In case you feel dizzy or lightheaded, it is advised to rest for some time until you feel better.
It's unlikely that Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide affects fertility in men or women. However, in some cases, some water pills like hydrochlorothiazide may lead to erectile dysfunction. For the best advice, please consult your doctor.
In case you have missed a dose of Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide, you are advised to take it as soon as you remember. However, try not to miss a dose in the first place, if it's time for you to take your next dose, then do not take both the doses together. Take only one dose; taking a double dose of Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide will lead to low blood pressure.
Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide can be safely taken as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you. Conditions such as high blood pressure are life-long conditions, and one should not abruptly discontinue it without discussing it with a doctor. Discontinuing Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide may lead to increased blood pressure with a high risk of heart attack and stroke in the future.
No, you are advised to inform your doctor and monitor your blood pressure for at least two weeks before stopping the medicine. Depending upon your current blood pressure readings, there is a possibility your doctor may lower your medicine dosage and not recommend discontinuing it.
Please inform your doctor before surgery if you are taking Irbesartan+hydrochlorothiazide. It needs to be stopped because it might lower the blood pressure further if taken along with certain local anaesthetic medication.
