Irbesartan

1 medicine

Irbesartan is an ARB that relaxes blood vessels to treat high blood pressure and protect the kidneys in type 2 diabetes. It must be stopped if you become pregnant, since it can seriously harm an unborn baby.

Avapro

Irbesartan

150/300mg

Avapro is a heart blood pressure medication containing Irbesartan, available as 150/300mg tablets.

from $1.06 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It blocks a hormone that tightens blood vessels, so the vessels relax and blood pressure falls.
  • It is taken once daily as a tablet, with or without food, and can take several weeks to reach its full blood-pressure-lowering effect.
  • Irbesartan must not be used in pregnancy. It can cause fetal injury or death, including kidney failure in the baby, especially in the second and third trimesters.
  • Seek urgent care for facial or throat swelling, or signs of a very fast or irregular heartbeat.

What irbesartan treats

Irbesartan treats high blood pressure (hypertension) and is used to slow kidney damage in people with type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease. Lowering blood pressure over time reduces the risk of stroke, heart attack and further kidney decline. It does not relieve chest pain and is not a fast-acting treatment for a hypertensive emergency.

How irbesartan works

A hormone called angiotensin II normally binds to receptors on blood vessels and tells them to narrow, raising blood pressure and increasing strain on the kidneys. Irbesartan blocks those receptors so angiotensin II cannot act. The vessels stay relaxed, blood pressure drops, and pressure inside the kidney's filtering units eases.

Before you take it

  • Do not take irbesartan if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant; switch to a pregnancy-safe blood-pressure medicine beforehand if you plan a pregnancy.
  • Tell your prescriber about kidney disease, liver disease, or a history of high potassium levels.
  • Mention other blood-pressure medicines, potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics, and NSAIDs, which can raise potassium or blunt the blood-pressure effect.
  • Avoid combining irbesartan with other renin-angiotensin medicines (ACE inhibitors, aliskiren); this raises the risk of low blood pressure, high potassium and kidney injury without added benefit.

Side effects

Common effects include dizziness, light-headedness on standing, mild headache and nausea.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing.
  • Signs of high potassium: muscle weakness, an irregular heartbeat, or tingling.
  • Fainting or a very fast or pounding heartbeat.
  • Little or no urine output.

Safety essentials

  • Stop irbesartan and tell your prescriber immediately if you become pregnant; it is contraindicated from conception onward because of the risk to the baby's kidneys and development.
  • Have blood pressure, kidney function and potassium checked periodically, especially after starting or increasing the dose.
  • Dehydration from vomiting, diarrhoea or hot weather can drop your blood pressure suddenly; drink fluids and tell your prescriber if you become unwell.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.