Irbesartan: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Irbesartan What Medicine?

What is Irbesartan used for?

Irbesartan is one of the oral drugs. This drug belongs to the class of drugs angiotensin II receptor antagonists which works by inhibiting the action of certain natural substances that normally make blood vessels narrow. Therefore, if this drug is used, these substances cannot constrict blood vessels and blood can flow more smoothly.

Irbesartan is commonly used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and to help protect the kidneys from damage caused by diabetes. Lowering blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.

This medicine is included in a prescription drug and can only be obtained at a pharmacy if you include a prescription from your doctor.

How to use irbesartan?

If you want to take this drug, you should follow the procedure for using the drug as follows.

• This drug should be consumed according to doctor's instructions. Generally, this medication is used once a day.
• You may take this medicine before or after meals.
• The dose of the use of this drug is adjusted to your health condition and your response to drug use.
• To get the maximum benefits of using this drug, use this drug regularly. Try not to skip doses and use this medication at the same time every day.
• Do not stop using this drug even if you feel better. Keep using the medicine until the time determined by the doctor.
• Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.
• Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store irbesartan?

Before you use this medication, learn about the following storage procedures for this drug:

• This medication is best stored at room temperature. Do not store this medication in places that are too cold or too hot.
• Do not store this medicine in a damp place, so avoid places such as the bathroom to store the medicine.
• Do not expose this medication to direct sunlight or light as this may damage the drug.
• Keep this medication out of reach of children and pets.
• Irbesartan is available in various brands. Different brands may have different storage procedures.
• Do not freeze this medication in the freezer.
• Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist.

Meanwhile, if you are not using this drug or if the medicine has expired, discard this drug with the appropriate drug disposal procedure. For example, do not dispose of this product together with other medicinal waste. Do not also throw this drug in drains such as toilets.

If you do not know the proper way to dispose of drug waste, it is better to ask a pharmacist or staff from your local waste disposal agency for more information.

Irbesartan dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of irbesartan for adults?

Adult dosage for diabetic nephropathy

• Initial dose: 150 mg orally once a day with or without food.
• Maintenance dose: 150-300 mg orally once a day.

Adult dosage for hypertension

• Initial dose: 150 mg orally once a day with or without food.
• Maintenance dose: 150-300 mg orally once a day.

What is the dose of irbesartan for children?

Child dosage for hypertension

• For children aged 6-12 years:
  • Initial dose: 75 mg once daily.
  • Maintenance dose: 75 mg-150 mg once daily.

• For ages 13-18 years:
  • Initial dose: 150 mg once daily.
  • Maintenance dose: 150-300 mg once daily.

In what dosage is irbesartan available?

Irbesartan is available in the following dosages.

Tablet, Oral: 75 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg.

Irbesartan side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to irbesartan?

Seek emergency medical help right away if you develop signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

As with various other drug uses, this drug can also cause side effects of use. These side effects are usually in the form of health conditions, ranging from mild to quite serious.

Call your doctor if you have serious side effects such as:

• feel like passing out
• urinating less frequently or not urinating at all
• drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
• Experiencing swelling, weight gain, shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing

If you experience any of the side effects mentioned above, please contact your doctor immediately for emergency medical assistance.

Meanwhile, there are milder side effects, namely:

• diarrhea
• heartburn or a burning sensation in the chest
• stomach ache
• lightheadedness
• feel tired

In some cases, Irbesartan can cause conditions that result in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you experience unexplained muscle pain, or weakness especially if you also have a fever, weakness without cause, and dark urine.

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Irbesartan Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using irbesartan?

Before using irbesartan, there are a number of things that you should do and understand:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Irbesartan, any other drugs, or the ingredients in Irbesartan tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of ingredients for this drug.
• tell your doctor if you have diabetes (high blood sugar) and you are taking aliskiren (Tesorna, in Amturnide, Tekamlo, Tunjukna HCT). Your doctor will probably tell you not to use Irbesartan if you have diabetes and you are also taking Aliskiren.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist any prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are using or planning to use. Make sure you mention the following drugs: aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and selective COX-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib (Celebrex); diuretics ('water pills'); and potassium supplements. Your doctor may need to change your dose or closely monitor any side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have had heart failure or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• You should know that Irbesartan can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting if you wake up too quickly from lying down. This is often when you first start using Irbesartan. To help avoid problems, get out of bed slowly, sit down a few minutes before standing. Likewise if you want to get up from sitting. Do it slowly.
• You should know that diarrhea, vomiting, lack of fluids, and sweating can lower blood pressure, which can cause the head to float or faint. Contact your doctor if you experience this problem during medication use.
• Avoid activities that require high concentration while you are under the influence of this drug.

Is irbesartan safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category D according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia. The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

It is also not known whether this drug can pass from breast milk (ASI), so if you want to use this drug while breastfeeding, ask your doctor whether this drug is safe to use.

Irbesartan Drug Interactions

What other medicines may interact with irbesartan?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. However, interactions can also be the best alternative treatment for your condition. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this article.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. That way your doctor can help you avoid unwanted interactions. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

The following are some of the types of drugs that can interact with irbesartan:

• ibuprofen
• aspirin
• atenolol
• duloxetine
• apixaban
• sitagliptin
• pregabalin
• acetaminophen
• levothyroxine
• sildenafil
• lithium

Can food or alcohol interact with irbesartan?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with irbesartan?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, in particular:

• Severe congestive heart failure. Use of this drug can cause kidney problems.
• Diabetic patients who are also taking Aliskiren. This medicine should not be used in patients with this condition
• Electrolyte imbalance (for example, low sodium in the blood)
• Fluid imbalance (eg, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea)
• Kidney illness. Use this drug with caution. May worsen the condition.

Irbesartan overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Symptoms of an overdose include:

• dizzy
• passed out
• fast or slow heart rate

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.