hydrochlorothiazide + irbesartan at a glance
Medicine class
Angiotensin II receptor blocker plus thiazide diuretic.
Food
The tablet can be taken with or without food.
Sun protection
Limit excessive sunlight and UV exposure, use suitable protection and report new or changing skin lesions.
What is hydrochlorothiazide + irbesartan used for?
Licensed use represented by the selected product:
Essential hypertension in adults whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled by irbesartan or hydrochlorothiazide alone.
How does hydrochlorothiazide + irbesartan work?
Irbesartan blocks AT1 receptors, reducing angiotensin II-driven blood-vessel narrowing and aldosterone release. Hydrochlorothiazide increases kidney excretion of sodium and water. Together, they reduce blood pressure.
hydrochlorothiazide + irbesartan preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 150 mg + 12.5 mg, 300 mg + 12.5 mg, 300 mg + 25 mg
How to take hydrochlorothiazide + irbesartan
Take exactly as prescribed. Swallow the film-coated tablet with sufficient fluid, with or without food. Keep taking it unless the prescriber advises otherwise.
Dizziness can occur, particularly when standing; rise carefully.
Alcohol may increase postural dizziness.
Check with a pharmacist before using potassium supplements or potassium-containing salt substitutes.
hydrochlorothiazide + irbesartan side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dizziness, including on standing
- Tiredness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Changes in urination
- Blood-test changes involving kidney-function markers or creatine kinase
Get urgent medical advice
- Face, lip, mouth, tongue or throat swelling, hives or breathing difficulty
- Sudden severe breathlessness or rapidly worsening breathing
- Sudden eye pain or reduced vision
- Severe abdominal pain with nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Marked weakness, confusion, muscle cramps, fainting or abnormal heartbeat
- Yellow skin or eyes
- A new, changing or suspicious skin or lip lesion
hydrochlorothiazide + irbesartan in pregnancy
This combination is not recommended in early pregnancy and is contraindicated during the second and third trimesters. Anyone planning pregnancy or discovering they are pregnant should contact their prescriber promptly for a treatment review.
hydrochlorothiazide + irbesartan while breastfeeding
The combination is not recommended while breastfeeding. An alternative with better-established breastfeeding safety is usually preferred, particularly for a newborn or premature infant.
hydrochlorothiazide + irbesartan interactions
Important examples include:
Lithium
Lithium exposure and toxicity may increase; concurrent use is not recommended unless specialist monitoring is arranged.
ACE inhibitors or aliskiren
Risks include low blood pressure, high potassium and impaired kidney function. Aliskiren is contraindicated in specified patients with diabetes or renal impairment.
NSAIDs, including ibuprofen and COX-2 inhibitors
They may weaken blood-pressure and diuretic effects and increase the risk of kidney impairment and high potassium.
Common questions about hydrochlorothiazide + irbesartan
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can it cause dizziness?
Yes. Dizziness, including on standing, is recognised. Avoid driving or using machinery if affected.
Does it require blood tests?
Kidney function and electrolytes such as potassium and sodium may be monitored. Glucose monitoring may also be relevant in diabetes.
Can it be taken with ibuprofen?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.