About indapamide

Indapamide belongs to a group of medicines called diuretics. A diuretic is a medicine which increases the amount of urine that you pass out from your kidneys. They are often referred to as water tablets. Diuretics are a common treatment for hypertension (high blood pressure).

Diuretics like indapamide work by interfering with the transport of salt and water across certain cells in your kidneys. The effect of this is to make your kidneys pass out more urine. They also widen (dilate) blood vessels. A combination of these two effects reduces high blood pressure.

Indapamide can be used on its own or alongside other medicines which reduce blood pressure. It is also available as a combination tablet with a medicine called perindopril arginine.

Before taking indapamide

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking indapamide it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
• If you have kidney or liver problems.
• If you have gout, diabetes, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These conditions may be made worse by diuretics.
• If you have been told by a doctor that you have low sodium or potassium levels in your blood, or high calcium levels in your blood.
• If you have a problem with your adrenal glands, called Addison's disease.
• If you have a rare inherited blood disorder called porphyria.
• If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine. It is particularly important that you tell your doctor if you have had an unusual reaction to a medicine known as a 'sulfonamide'.

How to take indapamide

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about indapamide and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.
• Take indapamide exactly as your doctor has told you. The usual dose is one tablet daily. Your doctor is likely to recommend that you take it in the morning.
• Swallow the tablet with a drink of water. You can take it before or after your meals.
• If you have been prescribed a modified-release tablet (these have 'SR' or 'XL' after the brand name), these tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not break, crush or chew them.
• If you forget to take a tablet, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is after 6 pm in the evening, you should skip the forgotten dose and continue as usual the next day. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Treatment for high blood pressure is usually long-term. Although many people with high blood pressure do not feel unwell, if left untreated, high blood pressure can harm your heart and damage your blood vessels. This damage may later result in a heart attack, stroke, or kidney problems, so it is important that you continue to take these tablets regularly to help reduce the risk of this.
• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can monitor your blood pressure and check on your progress. Also, the salt balance in your bloodstream may be upset by indapamide and your doctor may want you to have a blood test from time to time to check for this.
• You may be given some lifestyle or dietary advice by your doctor, such as stopping smoking, reducing the amount of salt in your diet and taking some regular exercise. Following this advice will also help to reduce the risk of damage to your heart and blood vessels.
• Diuretics like indapamide help you to lose water. Occasionally you may lose too much and become dehydrated. Let your doctor know if you feel constantly thirsty, your mouth is dry, or your skin looks and feels dry.
• Drinking alcohol while you are on indapamide may make you feel dizzy. Ask for your doctor's advice about whether you should avoid alcohol.
• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take alongside indapamide.
• If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
• If you are an athlete, you should be aware that indapamide may give a positive reaction in doping tests.

Can indapamide cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store indapamide

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines