| Strength | Quantity | Price | Stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75mg | 28 tablets | £17.00 |  |
| 150mg | 28 tablets | £18.00 | |
| 300mg | 28 tablets | £17.10 | |
Irbesartan is a type of medicine known as an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) which is used to treat high blood pressure. It also works to prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems by lowering the blood pressure.
Irbesartan works by widening and relaxing the blood vessels, making it easier to pump blood around the body. This lowers the blood pressure and keeps it at a healthy level.
Irbesartan will start to work after 3-6 hours of taking it. It can take 4-6 weeks for the medication to take full effect however. High blood pressure often produces no symptoms so you may not feel any different after taking Irbesartan. This does not mean that the medication isn't working.
The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have a blood pressure test. This can be done at your GP surgery by a doctor, nurse or healthcare assistant. It can also be done at certain pharmacies or at home with a self testing blood pressure monitor. If you are risk of high blood pressure then it's recommended that you get checked up regularly. At risk factors include:
Age- if you are over 40 then you should have your blood pressure checked every 5 years
Family history
African or Caribbean ethnicity
A diet that is high in salt
Not getting exercise
Being overweight
Drinking lots of alcohol
Smoking
Long-term poor sleeping habits
There are several possible causes of high blood pressure which may include underlying health conditions, particular medications and lifestyle risk factors. Health conditions which may cause high blood pressure include:
Kidney disease
Diabetes
Persistent kidney infections
Obstructive sleep apnoea
Glomerulonephritis
Narrowed arteries around the kidneys
Underactive thyroid
Overactive thyroid
Cushing's syndrome
Acromegaly
Hyperaldosteronism
Phaeochromocytoma
Lupus
Scleroderma
Medicines which may cause high blood pressure include:
The combined pill
Steroids
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
Some types of cough and cold remedies
Liquorice based herbal remedies
Recreational drugs, mainly cocaine and amphetamines
SSRI antidepressants
On average, high blood pressure affects 1 in 4 adults within the UK. If it is left unnoticed or untreated then it leaves you at risk of experiencing serious conditions or health problems. These include:
Heart attacks
Heart disease
Heart failure
Aortic aneurysms
Strokes
Kidney disease
Vascular dementia
Peripheral arterial disease
Managing your blood pressure by using medication and adjusting your lifestyle habits reduces your risk of experiencing these circumstances.
The active ingredient in the medicine is Irbesartan. Each tablet contains either a 75mg, 150mg or 300mg dose.
The inactive ingredients contained in Irbesartan are Microcrystalline cellulose 101, calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, sodium starch glycolate (Type A), hypromellose (5cp), polysorbate 80, talc, silica colloidal anhydrous, sodium stearyl fumarate.
Irbesartan should be taken once a day. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water at around the same time each day. The medicine can be taken with or without food. Always take Irbesartan as your doctor has prescribed and continue to take it unless your doctor tells you to stop.
Irbesartan should be taken once a day. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water at around the same time each day. The medicine can be taken with or without food. Always take Irbesartan as your doctor has prescribed and continue to take it unless your doctor tells you to stop.
Irbesartan is taken long term. It may be the case that you will need to take the medication for the rest of your life to keep your blood pressure under control.
If you forget to take Irbesartan, leave the missed dose and take the next one at your usual time. Do not take double the dose to make up for a missed one.
If you take too much Irbesartan by mistake, tell your doctor right away.
You may experience side effects when you first start taking Irbesartan. This may include nausea and vomiting. If this happens consistently, see your doctor for advice. They may advise you to stop taking the medicine until you feel better.
Common side effects include:
Dizziness
Nausea
Vomiting
Fatigue
An increased level of potassium recorded in blood tests
Dizziness after standing up
Low blood pressure
Pain in the muscles or joints
Decreased level of haemoglobin in the red blood cells
Uncommon side effects may include:
Increased heart rate
Flushing
Cough
Diarrhoea
Indigestion
Heartburn
Sexual dysfunction
Chest pain
Vertigo
Headache
Disrupted taste
Ringing in the ears
Muscle cramps
Abnormal liver or kidney function
Inflammation of small blood vessels
Jaundice
Serious side effects may indicate an allergic reaction. If you experience any of the following then seek immediate medical attention:
Rash
Swelling of the face, lips or tongue
Difficulty breathing
Do not take Irbesartan if:
You are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in the medicine
You are more than 3 months pregnant
You have diabetes
You have impaired kidney function
You are taking a medication called Aliskiren to lower the blood pressure
You are under 18
Tell your doctor if any of the following apply to you before taking Irbesartan:
You experience excessive vomiting or diarrhoea
You have kidney problems
You have heart problems
You have diabetic kidney disease
You are scheduled to have an operation
You are using any other high blood pressure medications
You are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
Let your doctor know if you are taking any other types of medication. In particular the following medications may require additional care:
ACE-inhibitors
Aliskiren
Potassium supplements
Salt substitutes containing potassium
Certain types of Diuretics
Lithium
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
It's best to avoid drinking alcohol for the first few days of taking Irbesartan as alcohol can enhance the blood pressure lowering action of the medication, resulting in dizziness or feeling light-headed. If you experience dizziness while taking Irbesartan then avoid drinking alcohol.
Irbesartan is not usually recommended during early pregnancy and it can cause harm to an unborn baby if it is taken after the third month of pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are, or could be, pregnant so that they can prescribe you with a medication that is suitable.
Irbesartan is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers as a small amount of the medicine may pass through the breast milk. Your doctor will be able to recommend a suitable alternative to Irbesartan.
Irbesartan will not have an affect on your fertility but it should not be taken if you are trying to get pregnant.
Irbesartan will not affect any type of contraception. Certain types of hormonal contraceptives are not suitable for women with high blood pressure, such as the combined pill.
It's recommended not to drive until you know how Irbesartan affects you. It can cause dizziness or fatigue in some people. If this happens, avoid driving or operating machinery until you feel better.
Irbesartan has not been known to be addictive.
Candesartan, Losartan and Valsartan are alternative ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) which work in the same way as Irbesartan. Other types of high blood pressure medications include:
ACE inhibitors (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors)- These are usually offered in the first instance for patients under the age of 55. These include Benazepril, Perindopril and Ramipril
Calcium-channel blockers such as Amlodipine, Felodipine or Verapamil
Beta blockers such as Bisoprolol and Propranolol
Diuretics such as Indapamide and Hydrochlorothiazide
Everyone with high blood pressure is advised to make the following lifestyle changes to help lower and maintain your blood pressure:
Reduce your salt intake to a minimum of 6g a day
Eat a low fat, healthy diet that includes 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day
Get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day
Reduce your consumption of alcohol
Maintain a healthy weight
Cut down on caffeine (such as tea and coffee)
Quit smoking
These steps can be implemented to help prevent high blood pressure from occurring or getting to the point of needing medication.
Irbesartan is designed for long term use so it is safe to take in this way.
You should keep taking Irbesartan even if your blood pressure has lowered. If you stop taking it this could cause your blood pressure to rise again. You will need to keep taking the medication to maintain a healthy blood pressure level.
You should avoid using salt substitutes, for example Lo-Salt, while you are taking Irbesartan. This is because they can cause the level of potassium in your blood to become too high.
Irbesartan is not designed to treat migraines but it is sometimes prescribed for this as an off-label use. It's likely that your doctor will prescribe treatments specifically for migraines first.
While studies have taken place to find out whether or not blood pressure medications can help to prevent the onset of Alzheimer's, there is not enough evidence to suggest that the medication can work in this manner.
High blood pressure can be prevented by:
Eating a healthy diet
Cutting down on fats
Reducing your alcohol consumption
Losing weight if you are overweight
Staying active
Cutting down on caffeine
Quitting smoking
Getting enough sleep
NHS> Irbesartan https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/irbesartan/
Patient Information Leaflet https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3103/pil
NHS> High Blood Pressure https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/prevention/
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