Hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan

Generic name: Hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan

Drug class: Angiotensin II inhibitors with thiazides

Dosage form: Oral tablet (12.5 mg-150 mg; 12.5 mg-300 mg)

Root of administration: Oral

Dose:

• Initial therapy: Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg-Irbesartan 150 mg orally once a day; may increase after 1 to 2 weeks.
• Add-on/Replacement therapy: Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 to 25 mg-Irbesartan 150 to 300 mg orally once a day.
• Maximum dose: Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg-Irbesartan 300 mg orally once a day.

Mechanism of action: Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist that blocks the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II by selectively binding to the AT1 angiotensin II receptor. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that inhibits sodium reabsorption in the distal tubules, causing increased excretion of sodium and water, as well as potassium and hydrogen ions.

Drug usage cases:

• Hypertension

Drug contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to irbesartan, hydrochlorothiazide, sulfonamide-derived drugs, or any component of the formulation
• Concomitant use with aliskiren in patients with diabetes mellitus
• Anuria

Side effects:

• Dizziness
• Muscle or joint pain
• Feeling tired
• Eye pain, vision problems
• Light-headedness, fainting
• Little or no urinating
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Easy bruising, unusual bleeding
• Signs of an electrolyte imbalance: increased thirst or urination, confusion, vomiting, constipation, muscle pain or weakness, leg cramps, bone pain, lack of energy, irregular heartbeats, tingly feeling

Warnings:

• Do not use if you are unable to urinate
• Do not use if you are allergic to sulfa drugs
• Do not use if you are pregnant; stop using the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant
• If you have diabetes, do not use hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren
• Use with caution in patients with liver disease, congestive heart failure, glaucoma, low or high levels of potassium in your blood, asthma or allergies, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, gout, lupus, or an allergy to penicillin
• Use with caution in patients with kidney disease; the effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body
• Use with caution in patients with electrolyte imbalances (e.g., low levels of potassium, sodium, or magnesium in the body) or fluid imbalances (caused by dehydration, vomiting, or diarrhea)
• Use with caution in patients with secondary angle closure glaucoma, hypercalcemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, myopia, acute, or systemic lupus erythematosus
• Use with caution in patients who have had a sympathectomy; blood pressure–lowering effects of this medicine may be increased

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Do not use if you are pregnant; stop using the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Irbesartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.