Irbesartan oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

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Overview

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved irbesartan oral tablet to treat:

• high blood pressure
• diabetic kidney disease in certain people with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure

This article describes possible side effects of irbesartan oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about irbesartan, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more.

Irbesartan oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Avapro.

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm

Irbesartan oral tablet has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

For details, see the “Side effects of irbesartan in detail” section below.

More common side effects of irbesartan

Below are some of the more common side effects of irbesartan oral tablet that occurred during the drug’s studies. The more common side effects varied based on the condition being treated.

More common side effects reported in people taking irbesartan oral tablet for high blood pressure include:

• diarrhea
• indigestion or heartburn
• fatigue (low energy)

More common side effects reported in people taking irbesartan oral tablet for diabetic kidney disease include the side effects above, along with:

• dizziness
• high blood potassium level*
• orthostatic hypotension*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of irbesartan in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of irbesartan

Irbesartan may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

More common side effects reported in people taking irbesartan oral tablet for high blood pressure include:

• diarrhea
• indigestion or heartburn
• fatigue (low energy)
• mild allergic reaction*†

More common side effects reported in people taking irbesartan oral tablet for diabetic kidney disease include the side effects above, along with dizziness.

Irbesartan oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of irbesartan in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with irbesartan oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

Serious side effects of irbesartan

Irbesartan may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from irbesartan oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with irbesartan.

Serious side effects of irbesartan oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• high blood potassium level*
• orthostatic hypotension*
• very low blood pressure in certain people
• decrease in kidney function
• risk of fetal harm*†
• angioedema (swelling deep under the skin that’s also known as giant hives)‡
• severe allergic reaction*‡

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of irbesartan in detail” section below.
† Irbesartan oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
‡ This side effect is possible with irbesartan oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

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Common questions about side effects of irbesartan

Here are answers to some common questions about the side effects of irbesartan oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does irbesartan cause long-term side effects?

Long-term side effects aren’t expected with irbesartan oral tablet. In studies, specific side effects weren’t seen in people who had taken the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after treatment ended also weren’t reported.

However, a decrease in kidney function occurred in some people taking irbesartan oral tablet. This was reported more often in people with certain risk factors, such as chronic kidney disease or severe heart failure. Sometimes, a decrease in kidney function can lead to acute kidney failure. This could possibly lead to long-term side effects, such as new or worsened kidney problems, or death. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of irbesartan in detail” section below.

Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about possible long-term side effects with irbesartan.

Can irbesartan 300 mg cause more side effects than irbesartan 150 mg?

Yes, it’s possible. In general, higher doses of medications may be more likely to cause side effects than lower doses. Some people may need to start with a lower dose of irbesartan oral tablet to limit the risk of certain side effects, such as low blood pressure.

In some cases, a higher dose is needed to help manage the condition being treated. For example, the recommended dosage for diabetic kidney disease is 300 milligrams (mg) once per day. Some people being treated for high blood pressure may need a dosage of 300 mg once per day.

Ask your doctor if you have questions about what dosage of irbesartan oral tablet is right for you.

Is hair loss or weight gain a possible side effect of irbesartan?

Hair loss and weight gain weren’t reported as side effects of irbesartan oral tablet in studies.

There are many possible causes of hair loss. For example, having diabetes can sometimes lead to hair loss. An irbesartan oral tablet may be used for diabetic kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes. See this article for more details about how diabetes can affect your hair, and how to manage possible hair loss with diabetes.

There are also many possible causes of weight gain. For example, some drugs used to treat diabetes may cause weight gain. Certain medical conditions, such as kidney problems or worsening heart failure, may lead to sudden weight gain due to extra fluid in the body. This could lead to swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs. A decrease in kidney function can be a serious side effect of irbesartan oral tablet.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about hair loss or weight gain with irbesartan oral tablet. It’s especially important to tell your doctor about sudden weight gain that happens over a few days. This could be a sign that your kidneys aren’t working properly.

Side effects of irbesartan in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of irbesartan oral tablet.

Risk of fetal harm

Irbesartan oral tablet has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Irbesartan can cause harm or death to the developing fetus when taken by someone who is pregnant.

If you are pregnant, tell your doctor right away. They will likely have you stop irbesartan oral tablet as soon as possible. They can also suggest different treatment options for your condition.

If you can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about birth control options while taking irbesartan oral tablet. They can discuss the risks and benefits of each option.

High blood potassium level

High blood potassium level was a common side effect reported by people taking irbesartan oral tablet, especially among those taking it for diabetic kidney disease. This side effect may be serious.

Symptoms of high levels of potassium in your blood include:

• weakness
• numbness or tingling
• heart palpitations (feeling of skipped or extra heartbeats)

Certain factors can increase your risk of high blood potassium with irbesartan oral tablet. These include taking:

• other drugs that can lead to high potassium, including certain blood pressure medications
• potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium

Ways to manage

The effects of high potassium can be serious, so it’s important to call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of a high potassium level. Management depends on your blood potassium level. In some cases, you may need to go to the hospital. For severe symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Due to this risk, your doctor may monitor your blood potassium levels before and during treatment with irbesartan oral tablet. If you have questions about potassium blood levels while taking irbesartan oral tablet, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Orthostatic hypotension

Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing up. This side effect was commonly reported in studies of irbesartan oral tablet in people taking the drug for diabetic kidney disease. It may be serious.

Symptoms of orthostatic hypotension can include:

• dizziness and lightheadedness upon standing up
• headache
• weakness
• blurred vision
• fainting

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of orthostatic hypotension, tell your doctor. They can evaluate what the possible cause is. To find out if you have orthostatic hypotension, they’ll likely check your blood pressure while you’re sitting, lying down, and standing. They may also perform a physical exam and order blood tests.

If orthostatic hypotension continues, your doctor may recommend some simple steps to help relieve your symptoms. These may include standing up slowly, avoiding hot baths, or increasing your fluids if you’re dehydrated. But what your doctor advises will depend on the cause of your symptoms.

Allergic reaction

Irbesartan oral tablet can rarely cause an allergic reaction. This side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies. But it has occurred in certain people after the drug was approved for use.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• skin flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to irbesartan oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for irbesartan

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking irbesartan oral tablet.

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 FDA. For details, see the “Side effects of irbesartan in detail” section above.

Other warnings

It may not be safe for you to take irbesartan oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether irbesartan oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking irbesartan oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• low blood pressure
• decreased kidney function
• severe heart failure
• whether you take aliskiren, lithium, or certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• past allergic reaction to irbesartan

Irbesartan and pregnancy

Irbesartan oral tablet should not be taken during pregnancy. The drug has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm. See the “Side effects of irbesartan in detail” section above for more information.

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with irbesartan oral tablet.

Irbesartan and breastfeeding

Irbesartan oral tablet should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with irbesartan.

Irbesartan and alcohol

Irbesartan oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.

But drinking alcohol may have side effects that can also occur with irbesartan oral tablet, such as dizziness, diarrhea, or fatigue. Drinking alcohol while taking irbesartan oral tablet may make these side effects worse.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it before you start treatment with irbesartan oral tablet.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of irbesartan oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Would my medical condition or the medications I take increase the risk of side effects with irbesartan?
• How do the side effects of irbesartan compare with other drugs used to treat my condition?
• What can I do to prevent or limit common side effects of irbesartan?

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.