irbesartan hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
Main licensed uses
Essential hypertension and diabetic kidney disease associated with hypertension
Food
Tablets can be taken with or without food
Important monitoring
Blood pressure, kidney function and serum potassium may require monitoring
What is irbesartan hydrochloride used for?
Licensed uses in adults include:
Essential hypertension.
Kidney disease in people with hypertension and type 2 diabetes, as part of blood-pressure-lowering treatment.
How does irbesartan hydrochloride work?
Irbesartan blocks angiotensin II at AT1 receptors, reducing blood-vessel narrowing and aldosterone release. This lowers vascular resistance and blood pressure without inhibiting ACE.
irbesartan hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 75 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg
How to take irbesartan hydrochloride
Swallow the tablets as directed on the dispensing label. They may be taken with or without food.
If vomiting, diarrhoea or fever may have caused dehydration, contact a pharmacist or doctor.
For adults with swallowing difficulties, crushing or dispersing tablets in water may be possible off-label after pharmacist review; the coating may taste bitter.
irbesartan hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dizziness, including on standing
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tiredness or weakness
- Muscle or joint pain
- Headache
Get urgent medical advice
- Face, tongue or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or another severe allergic reaction
- Severe abdominal pain with nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea, which may indicate intestinal angioedema
- Collapse or other symptoms of severe low blood pressure
- High potassium or worsening kidney function detected by blood tests
irbesartan hydrochloride in pregnancy
Irbesartan is not recommended in early pregnancy and is contraindicated during the second and third trimesters because it can harm fetal kidney development. Discuss alternatives before planning pregnancy, and contact the prescriber promptly if pregnancy occurs.
irbesartan hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Human milk data are unavailable, so another treatment with better-established evidence is usually preferred, particularly for a newborn or premature infant. If irbesartan is required, specialist assessment and infant monitoring are appropriate.
irbesartan hydrochloride interactions
Check prescribed medicines, non-prescription products and supplements. Important interactions include:
ACE inhibitors, other ARBs or aliskiren
Combining renin–angiotensin system blockers increases the risks of low blood pressure, high potassium and kidney impairment. Aliskiren has specific contraindications in diabetes or renal impairment.
Potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes and potassium-sparing diuretics
These may increase serum potassium and generally require avoidance or closer monitoring.
Lithium
Irbesartan may increase lithium concentrations and toxicity.
Common questions about irbesartan hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is irbesartan used for?
It is licensed for essential hypertension and kidney disease in adults with hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
How does irbesartan lower blood pressure?
It blocks AT1 receptors used by angiotensin II, reducing blood-vessel narrowing and aldosterone release.
Can irbesartan be taken with food?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.