This article describes possible interactions with irbesartan oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
To find coupon options for irbesartan and to learn more about the drug, including its uses, see this article.
Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm
Irbesartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Irbesartan should not be taken during pregnancy due to the risk of fetal development problems (commonly known as birth defects). If you become pregnant while taking irbesartan, immediately stop taking the drug and call your doctor right away.
See the end of this article for more information about this warning.
Other drugs and irbesartan
Drugs that may interact with irbesartan oral tablet are listed below. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with irbesartan.
Drugs that may interact with irbesartan oral tablet include:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):
- angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors:
- drug examples: lisinopril (Zestril), enalapril (Vasotec)
- what might happen: can raise the risk of side effects of irbesartan and ACE inhibitors
- potassium-sparing diuretics (water pills):
- drug examples: amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone, Carospir)
- what might happen: may raise the risk of high blood potassium level as a side effect of irbesartan and potassium-sparing diuretics
- other angiotenin II receptor blocker (ARB) drugs:
- lithium (Lithobid):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of lithium
- aliskiren (Tekturna):*
- what might happen: can raise the risk of side effects of irbesartan and aliskiren
- sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim, Bactrim DS):
- what might happen: may raise the risk of high blood potassium level as a side effect of irbesartan and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
- sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto):
- what might happen: can raise the risk of side effects of irbesartan and sacubitril/valsartan
* For details about this interaction, see the “When to avoid irbesartan” section below.
When to avoid irbesartan
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with irbesartan oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe irbesartan in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for irbesartan oral tablet:
- Having type 1 or type 2 diabetes and taking aliskiren (Tekturna). If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and take the medication aliskiren, taking irbesartan oral tablet may cause serious side effects. These include low blood pressure, high blood potassium level, and worsened kidney function. Due to this risk, doctors will usually not prescribe irbesartan and aliskiren together to people with type 1 or 2 diabetes. Doctors also typically avoid prescribing these drugs together to anyone due to this risk.
- Past allergic reaction to irbesartan. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to irbesartan oral tablet in the past, taking irbesartan oral tablet may cause another allergic reaction.
Before starting treatment with irbesartan, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take irbesartan.
Alcohol and irbesartan
Irbesartan oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
But if you have certain side effects from irbesartan, drinking alcohol could worsen them. Examples of these side effects include diarrhea, indigestion (upset stomach), and fatigue (low energy).
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about what amount may be safe to consume during your treatment with irbesartan oral tablet.
Other interactions and irbesartan
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether irbesartan oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with irbesartan.
Irbesartan and supplements
Before taking irbesartan oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid possible interactions.
Irbesartan can interact with potassium supplements, and any other supplement that contains potassium. Taking irbesartan and a potassium supplement can raise the risk of high blood potassium level as a side effect of irbesartan. Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement that contains potassium during treatment with irbesartan oral tablet.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Irbesartan interactions with herbs
Irbesartan oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during treatment with irbesartan oral tablet.
Irbesartan interactions with vitamins
Irbesartan oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during treatment with irbesartan oral tablet.
Irbesartan and food
Irbesartan oral tablet can interact with potassium salt substitutes. Using a potassium salt substitute can raise the risk of high blood potassium level as a side effect of irbesartan.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid during treatment with irbesartan oral tablet.
Irbesartan and vaccines
Irbesartan oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines during treatment with irbesartan oral tablet.
Irbesartan and lab tests
Irbesartan oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests during treatment with irbesartan oral tablet.
Irbesartan and cannabis or CBD
Irbesartan oral tablet isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with irbesartan.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
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Get free cardHealth factors and irbesartan
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with irbesartan oral tablet. Before taking irbesartan, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether irbesartan is right for you.
Here’s a list of health conditions or other factors that might interact with irbesartan oral tablet:
- liver conditions
- chronic kidney disease
- renal artery stenosis
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
- past allergic reaction to irbesartan
Preventing irbesartan interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with irbesartan oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug during your irbesartan oral tablet treatment.
Taking irbesartan exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about irbesartan and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Does irbesartan have similar interactions as other angiotenin II receptor blocker drugs, such as valsartan?
- How do irbesartan’s interactions compare with other treatments for high blood pressure, such as lisinopril?
- Will I experience certain side effects from taking irbesartan with a beta-blocker, such as metoprolol?
- Are there diuretics (water pills) that are safe to take with irbesartan?
Boxed warning for irbesartan
Irbesartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) drugs, including irbesartan, should not be used during pregnancy. Using an ARB drug during pregnancy can cause fetal development problems (commonly known as birth defects). It can also cause pregnancy loss. If you become pregnant while taking irbesartan, immediately stop taking the drug and contact your doctor.
It’s important to note that untreated high blood pressure can also cause harm to a pregnancy. Your doctor can review safer treatments for you to take during pregnancy instead of irbesartan. They can also provide more information on when it may be safe for you to continue taking irbesartan after your pregnancy.
To learn more, talk with your doctor.
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.