irbesartan at a glance
Medicine class
Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
Licensed uses
Essential hypertension; diabetic kidney disease with hypertension in adults
Food
Tablets can be taken with or without food
Important monitoring
Blood pressure, kidney function, potassium and sodium
What is irbesartan used for?
Selected UK products license irbesartan for adults for:
Essential hypertension.
Kidney disease with hypertension and type 2 diabetes, as part of blood-pressure treatment.
How does irbesartan work?
Irbesartan blocks angiotensin II at AT1 receptors. This reduces blood-vessel narrowing and aldosterone release, lowering blood pressure and pressure within the kidney’s filtering system.
irbesartan preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 75 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg
How to take irbesartan
Swallow the tablet as directed on the dispensing label. It can be taken with or without food. Seek advice during illnesses causing vomiting, diarrhoea, fever or dehydration.
Check the packet leaflet if the tablet’s appearance or manufacturer changes.
If dizziness occurs, avoid driving or using machinery until it passes.
irbesartan side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dizziness, including when standing up
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tiredness
- Muscle, joint or other musculoskeletal pain
Get urgent medical advice
- Face, mouth, tongue or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or anaphylaxis
- Severe abdominal pain with nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea, which may indicate intestinal angioedema
- Impaired kidney function or kidney failure in susceptible people
- High blood potassium, particularly with diabetes or kidney impairment
- Jaundice or other signs of liver injury
irbesartan in pregnancy
Irbesartan is not recommended in early pregnancy and is contraindicated during the second and third trimesters because later exposure can harm fetal kidney development and reduce amniotic fluid. Anyone planning pregnancy or who becomes pregnant should promptly contact their prescriber for review.
irbesartan while breastfeeding
Irbesartan is generally not preferred because there is no information about its passage into human milk and alternatives have better evidence. Cautious use may occasionally be considered for a specific clinical need with infant monitoring, but it is less favourable for newborn or premature infants.
irbesartan interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all medicines, supplements and potassium-containing salt substitutes.
ACE inhibitors, other ARBs or aliskiren
Combining renin–angiotensin system blockers increases the risks of low blood pressure, high potassium and kidney impairment; some aliskiren combinations are contraindicated.
Potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes and potassium-sparing diuretics
These can further raise blood potassium and are generally not recommended without clinical supervision.
Lithium
Irbesartan can increase lithium concentrations and toxicity. The combination is not recommended unless lithium levels can be carefully monitored.
Common questions about irbesartan
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can irbesartan be taken with food?
Yes. Food does not significantly affect absorption, so the tablet may be taken with or without food.
What should I do if irbesartan makes me dizzy?
Sit or lie down until it passes, rise slowly and avoid driving or machinery while affected. Discuss persistent or severe dizziness with a clinician.
What if I develop vomiting or diarrhoea?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.