Always follow your doctor's advice, and the instructions that come with your medicine.
Dosage
Your dose of irbesartan depends on why you need the medicine. Take it how your doctor tells you.
The usual dose for both high blood pressure and diabetic kidney disease is 150mg to 300mg, taken once a day.
If you are over 75, or you have liver or kidney problems, your dose may be lower.
Changes to your dose
After a few weeks your doctor will check your blood pressure and ask you if you're getting any side effects. You may also have blood tests to check how well your kidneys are working and the amount of potassium in your blood. Your doctor will then decide whether to change your dose of irbesartan.
If irbesartan does not lower your blood pressure, your doctor may want to increase your dose. If your blood pressure gets too low or you get side effects, your doctor may want to lower your dose.
How to take it
Take irbesartan tablets once a day.
Your doctor may suggest that you take your first dose before bedtime, because it can make you dizzy. After the very first dose, you can take irbesartan at any time of day. Try to take it at the same time every day.
You can take irbesartan tablets with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water.
How long to take it for
For high blood pressure and diabetic kidney disease, treatment with irbesartan is usually long term, even for the rest of your life.
If you get ill while taking it
If you have very bad diarrhoea or are being sick (vomiting) for any reason, contact your doctor or a pharmacist. They'll be able to advise you about what to do.
They may lower your dose or recommend that you stop taking irbesartan until you're better, and you're able to eat and drink normally again.
If you take contraceptive pills and you're being sick (vomiting) or have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet to find out what to do.
If you forget to take it
If you miss a dose of irbesartan, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.
If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
Stopping irbesartan
It's important to talk to your doctor if you want to stop taking irbesartan.
Stopping it may cause your blood pressure to rise, and this can increase your chances of having a heart attack or stroke.
Important
Take irbesartan even if you feel well, as you'll still be getting the benefits of the medicine.
If you take too much
Taking too much irbesartan can cause dizziness (due to low blood pressure) and changes in heart rate.
The amount of irbesartan that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.
Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:
- you take more than your prescribed dose of irbesartan
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111
If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.
Take the irbesartan packet or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine, with you.