indapamide at a glance
Medicine class
Thiazide-like diuretic
Licensed use
Essential hypertension in adults
What is indapamide used for?
Selected UK products are licensed for:
Treatment of essential hypertension in adults.
How does indapamide work?
Indapamide reduces sodium and chloride reabsorption in part of the kidney tubule, increasing their loss in urine. It also improves arterial flexibility and reduces resistance in small blood vessels.
indapamide preparations and strengths
Modified-release tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 1.5 mg
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 2.5 mg
How to take indapamide
Follow the dispensing label and product leaflet.
Swallow the tablet with water.
Swallow prolonged-release tablets whole; do not chew them.
Food does not materially change the amount absorbed.
Ask a pharmacist or prescriber if swallowing tablets is difficult rather than crushing a prolonged-release product.
Vomiting, diarrhoea or fever can cause dehydration; seek advice if this occurs.
indapamide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Low potassium, which may initially cause no symptoms
- Skin rash or another hypersensitivity reaction
- Headache
- Dizziness, particularly on standing
- Nausea
- Increased urination, particularly after starting treatment
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction with breathing difficulty or facial, tongue or throat swelling
- Electrolyte disturbance causing marked weakness, cramps, confusion, fainting or an abnormal heartbeat
- Sudden severe abdominal pain suggesting pancreatitis
- Severe or blistering skin reaction
- Sudden eye pain, reduced vision or blurred vision
- Liver dysfunction with confusion in a person with liver disease
indapamide in pregnancy
Indapamide is not usually recommended during pregnancy because human data are limited and prolonged thiazide exposure may reduce maternal plasma volume and placental blood flow. Contact the prescriber if pregnant, planning pregnancy or becoming pregnant while taking it; do not stop without advice.
indapamide while breastfeeding
Indapamide is not usually recommended while breastfeeding. Small amounts may enter milk, effects on the infant cannot be excluded, and related diuretics may reduce milk production. The prescriber should assess suitable alternatives and individual circumstances.
indapamide interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all prescribed, non-prescribed and complementary products. Important examples include:
Lithium
Indapamide can increase lithium concentrations and toxicity; the combination is generally avoided or requires close lithium monitoring.
NSAIDs, including ibuprofen
They may reduce blood-pressure control and increase the risk of kidney injury, particularly during dehydration.
Medicines that prolong the QT interval
Low potassium can increase the risk of dangerous ventricular arrhythmias, requiring electrolyte and sometimes ECG monitoring.
Common questions about indapamide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is indapamide prescribed?
It is licensed to treat essential high blood pressure in adults.
Is indapamide a water tablet?
Yes. It is a thiazide-like diuretic, although its blood-pressure effect also involves relaxation of small arteries.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.