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Irbesartan

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You should have your blood pressure checked regularly especially when treatment is started.
If you suffer from kidney problems, you may be required to have regular blood tests to check your kidney function.

About irbesartan

Type of medicine	Angiotensin-II Receptor Antagonist
Used for	Lowering blood pressure Treating kidney disease in patients with high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus
Also called	Aprovel®
Available as	Tablets

Irbesartan works by preventing the action of a hormone in the body called angiotensin II, which leads to a reduction in blood pressure.

Before taking irbesartan

Before taking irbesartan make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
If you have recently been sick or had diarrhoea.
If you suffer from heart problems.
If you suffer from primary aldosteronism, a condition in which your body's adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone aldosterone, causing you to retain sodium and lose potassium.
If you suffer from renal artery stenosis (narrowing or blockage of the artery that supplies blood to the kidney).

How to take irbesartan

Tablets are generally taken once daily in the morning.

Getting the most from your treatment

You should have your blood pressure checked regularly especially when treatment is started.
If you suffer from kidney problems, you may be required to have regular blood tests to check your kidney function.
High blood pressure is a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease such as a heart attack or stroke.
There are lifestyle changes you can make to help lower your blood pressure. These include losing weight if you are overweight; eating less salt; exercising regularly; eating a healthy diet and drinking alcohol only in moderation.

Can irbesartan cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine	What can I do if I experience this
Dizziness, especially when moving from a sitting or lying position to a standing one	Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert. Make sure you move slowly when moving from a sitting or lying position to a standing one.
Feeling or being sick	Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast. If you are sick, drink plenty of liquid.
Muscle pain	Speak to your doctor if this becomes troublesome.
Fatigue	Speak to your doctor if this becomes troublesome.

Other possible side effects include diarrhoea, indigestion, flushing, a fast fluttery heartbeat, cough, sexual problems, headache, ringing in the ears, changes in taste.

Important: Rare cases of allergic skin reactions, as well as localised swelling of the face, lips and/or tongue have been reported in patients taking irbesartan. If you think you are developing such a reaction or get short of breath stop taking irbesartan and seek immediate medical attention.

How to store irbesartan

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

Important information about all medicines

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

References

Summary of Product Characteristics, Aprovel®, 75 mg, 150 mg and 300 mg Film-Coated Tablets, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Ltd, electronic Medicines Compendium. Text revised October 2007, accessed December 2007.
British National Formulary; 54th Edition (September 2007) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF).

DocID:
3371

DocRef:
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Last Updated:
4 Feb 2008

Date of Next Review:
3 Feb 2010

Version:
22

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

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