IRBESARTAN (Avapro) is used for treating high blood pressure. It may be used alone or with other blood pressure medicines. It is also used for treating kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Irbesartan helps lower blood pressure to normal levels. It controls high blood pressure, but it is not a cure. High blood pressure can damage your kidneys, and may lead to a stroke or heart failure. Irbesartan helps prevent these things from happening.
Tell your doctor if any of these apply to you:
previous swelling of the tongue, face, or lips with difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, or tightening of the throat
heart failure
kidney disease
liver disease
electrolyte imbalance (e.g. low or high levels of potassium in the blood)
if you are on a special diet, such as a low-salt diet (e.g. using potassium substitutes)
an unusual or allergic reaction to irbesartan, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How to use:
Strictly follow your doctor's instructions
Follow the directions on the prescription label
Take your doses at regular intervals
Do not stop taking Irbesartan until you are told so by your doctor
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can
Avoid taking double or extra doses
Safety issues:
Visit your doctor regularly for checks on your progress.
Irbesartan may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other tasks that require mental alertness until you know how Irbesartan affects you.
Tell your doctor if you are going to have surgery.
What drug(s) may interact with Irbesartan?
antiinflammatory pain medicines such as ibuprofen (Motrin®)
water pills (especially potassium-sparing diuretics such as triamterene or amiloride)
Possible side effects:
If you experience these side effects, you should contact your doctor immediately:
difficulty breathing or swallowing, hoarseness, or tightening of the throat
swelling of your face, lips, tongue, hands, or feet
unusual rash or hives
decreased sexual function
confusion, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting spells
decreased amount of urine passed
fast or uneven heart beat or palpitations
These side effects usually don't require medical attention (but you should contact your doctor if they continue or are bothersome):
cough
diarrhea
fatigue or tiredness
nasal congestion or stuffiness
sore or cramping muscles
upset stomach
What is the shelf life of the pills?
The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
What is a generic pill?
Generic drug (pl. generic drugs, short: generics) is a drug which is produced and distributed without a brand name. A generic must contain the same active ingredients as the original formulation. In most cases, it is considered bioequivalent to the brand name counterpart with respect to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.
