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Indapamide

Indapamide is a medicine that’s used to manage high blood pressure. It’s only available with a prescription.

What indapamide is for

Indapamide is a type of medicine called a diuretic.

Diuretics are sometimes called water tablets because they make you pee more.

In people with high blood pressure (hypertension), indapamide can lower blood pressure and help reduce the risk of serious conditions such as heart attacks and stroke.

How to take indapamide

Indapamide comes as a tablet you swallow. You usually take it once a day.

Your doctor will tell you how much to take and for how long. Indapamide treatment for high blood pressure is often long term.

When taking indapamide:

  • take it in the morning
  • swallow the tablet whole with some water

Always check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if you're not sure how to take it or have any problems taking it.

You may need regular blood tests to check the medicine is not affecting your potassium levels.

If you get ill with vomiting, diarrhoea or a high temperature (fever) when taking indapamide, there's a risk you'll get dehydrated.

Talk to a pharmacist or doctor for advice or follow the advice they've already given you.

If you miss a dose of indapamide

If you forget to take a dose of indapamide, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose.

If it's nearly time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose the next day as usual.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a missed dose.

If you take too much indapamide

Taking an extra dose of indapamide is unlikely to cause problems, but it's important to get medical advice if you take too much because it can sometimes be dangerous.

Urgent advice: Speak to a pharmacist as soon as possible if:

  • you've taken more than your prescribed dose of indapamide

If you are unable to speak to a pharmacist, or you took too much of your medicine on purpose, call NHS 111 for advice.

Information:

If you're told to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring the indapamide packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.

Side effects of indapamide

Like all medicines, indapamide can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Some side effects should ease after a while as your body gets used to the medicine, but others can last longer.

Common side effects

Common side effects of indapamide include:

  • a bumpy, red rash – this may be more difficult to see on brown or black skin
  • headaches
  • low blood pressure (hypotension), which can make you feel dizzy, especially when standing up
  • feeling sick (nausea)

Indapamide may make you pee more often when you first start taking it, but your peeing should return to normal after a few weeks.

Non-urgent advice: Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if:

  • you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away

They may be able to give you advice about how to reduce any side effects. Keep taking your medicine unless you're advised to stop.

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Serious side effects

Indapamide can sometimes cause serious side effects, but most of these are rare.

Possible serious side effects of indapamide include:

  • an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) – causing symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash and difficulty breathing
  • lowering of your blood potassium levels – causing symptoms such as tiredness, constipation, muscle pain or cramps and heart rhythm problems (arrhythmia)
  • a painful, swollen pancreas (acute pancreatitis) – causing sudden, severe tummy pain

Urgent advice: Call NHS 111 if:

  • you're taking indapamide and think you might be having serious side effects

More about side effects

These are not all the side effects of indapamide.

For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet, or search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website.

You can report any side effects you get on the Yellow Card Scheme website

Who can and cannot take indapamide

Most adults can take indapamide. It is not recommended for children.

Indapamide is not suitable for some people. For example, it may not be suitable if:

  • you’ve had an allergic reaction or serious side effect from indapamide or a similar medicine before
  • you have diabetes
  • you have kidney or liver disease
  • you have gout
  • you have a heart rhythm problem
  • you have Addison's disease
  • you’ve been told you have low blood potassium or salt levels, or high calcium levels

Before taking indapamide, tell your doctor or a pharmacist if you have any medical conditions.

Breastfeeding and indapamide

Tell your doctor if you're breastfeeding.

Indapamide is not usually used if you're breastfeeding as small amounts may pass into breast milk.

Pregnancy and indapamide

Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or you get pregnant while taking indapamide.

Indapamide is not usually recommended for use in pregnancy.

Taking indapamide with other medicines, food and drink

There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with indapamide.

These include:

Before taking indapamide, tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Food and alcohol with indapamide

You can eat as normal while taking indapamide, but it may be best to avoid drinking alcohol because it can increase the risk of low blood pressure (hypotension).

Find out more about your medicine

To find out more about your medicine, you can:

Page last reviewed: 3 July 2026
Next review due: 3 July 2029