This article describes irbesartan oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for irbesartan.
If you want to know more about irbesartan oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, its side effects, and more.
Irbesartan oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Avapro.
Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm or pregnancy loss
Irbesartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm or pregnancy loss. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
See the end of this article for more information about this warning.
Form and strengths of irbesartan
Irbesartan oral tablet comes as follows:
- Form: tablet that you swallow
- Strengths: 75 milligrams (mg), 150 mg, 300 mg
Dosage of irbesartan
This article describes the recommended dosages for irbesartan oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of irbesartan oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of irbesartan in adults
Irbesartan is approved to treat these conditions in adults:
- high blood pressure
- diabetic nephropathy in people who have high blood pressure as well as type 2 diabetes, a high creatinine level, and protein in the urine
Dosage for high blood pressure and other conditions
The recommended dosages for adults are in milligrams (mg), as the table below shows. Your doctor will prescribe the right dosage of irbesartan oral tablet to give the desired outcome.
| Condition | Starting dosage | Maintenance dosage* | Maximum dosage |
| high blood pressure | 150 mg once per day | 150–300 mg once per day | 300 mg once per day |
| diabetic nephropathy | 300 mg once per day | 300 mg once per day | 300 mg once per day |
* A maintenance dosage is what you take for the remainder of your treatment, usually after a starting dosage.
Dosage adjustments for irbesartan
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of irbesartan oral tablet based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have, such as low fluid and sodium levels in your blood vessels
Missed dose of irbesartan
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of irbesartan oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of irbesartan oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about irbesartan oral tablet and its dosage.
Is there a 150-mg-twice-per-day dosage of irbesartan?
No, irbesartan is typically prescribed to be taken once per day. The recommended starting dosage for high blood pressure is 150 milligrams (mg) to be taken once per day. The maximum dosage is 300 mg once per day. If you take 300 mg per day, your doctor likely won’t divide your dose. So, you wouldn’t take two 150-mg doses per day.
Irbesartan continues working for 24 hours, so you don’t need to take it two times a day.
If you have questions about your dosage of irbesartan, talk with your doctor.
What is the lowest dosage of irbesartan?
The lowest dosage of irbesartan depends on some factors. One factor is the condition irbesartan is treating. Another factor is whether you have other health conditions.
The lowest dosage recommended to treat high blood pressure is 150 milligrams (mg) once per day. The lowest dosage recommended to treat diabetic nephropathy is 300 mg once per day. But you might take a dosage lower than one of those in some cases. For example, you might take 75 mg once per day if you have low fluid and sodium levels in your blood vessels. This may happen if you take high doses of a diuretic (a water pill) or have dialysis frequently.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out the dosage of irbesartan that’s right for you.
Is irbesartan taken long term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe irbesartan oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you have questions about how long you should take irbesartan oral tablet, talk with your doctor.
How irbesartan is taken
You’ll swallow irbesartan oral tablet once per day. You can take irbesartan with or without food.
If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form. If needed, you can cut or crush the tablets to make them easier to swallow.
Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
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Overdose of irbesartan
It’s important that you do not take more irbesartan oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of irbesartan overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- dizziness
- pounding heartbeat
- weakness
What to do if you take too much irbesartan
If you think you’ve taken too much irbesartan, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for irbesartan oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of irbesartan oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take irbesartan oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Do I need an adjustment of my irbesartan oral tablet dosage if I have liver problems?
- If I’m taking the maximum dosage of irbesartan oral tablet, will I have a higher risk of side effects?
- If I’m taking other blood pressure medications, will I be prescribed a lower dosage of irbesartan?
Boxed warning for irbesartan
Irbesartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm or pregnancy loss. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
You should not take irbesartan while you’re pregnant. Taking irbesartan during pregnancy can cause harm to a developing fetus. In some cases, it can cause pregnancy loss.
If you’re planning to or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend birth control options to use during irbesartan treatment.
If you become pregnant while taking irbesartan, call your doctor right away and stop taking the medication.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about irbesartan and this boxed warning.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.