Description
Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker. It blocks the action of a hormone that narrows blood vessels, so the vessels relax and blood pressure falls. It is licensed for essential high blood pressure in adults, and for kidney disease in adults who have high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. The tablet is taken once daily, with or without food, at about the same time each day.
Unlike ACE inhibitors, this class does not usually cause a dry cough. Dizziness, headache and tiredness are recognised effects, particularly when you first start or after a dose increase. Your prescriber will check your kidney function and blood salts with a blood test, and will ask about potassium supplements and salt substitutes.
Tell your prescriber if you have kidney or liver problems, narrowing of the arteries to the kidneys, or heart failure. This medicine must not be taken in pregnancy.
- Angiotensin II receptor blocker for essential high blood pressure
- Also used for kidney disease in type 2 diabetes with high blood pressure
- Available in 75mg, 150mg and 300mg tablets, taken once daily
- This class does not usually cause the dry cough seen with ACE inhibitors
- Blood tests check kidney function and blood salts
- Not for use in pregnancy; tell your prescriber if you may be pregnant
