Avapro (Irbesartan)

What is Avapro?

Avapro (irbesartan) belongs to a family of drugs known as angiotensin II receptor (AT₁ subtype) antagonists.

What is Avapro used for?

Avapro is indicated for the treatment of high blood pressure or hypertension. It helps protect kidneys from damage due to diabetes. Controlled blood pressure helps in preventing heart attacks, strokes, and kidney problems.

How does Avapro work?

Avapro works by blocking the hormone angiotensin. This keeps blood vessels from narrowing and thus reduces blood pressure and improves blood flow.

How to use Avapro

Avapro should be taken in the manner prescribed by the doctor. Taking it for longer periods or in larger amounts than recommended can cause health problems.

Avapro is usually taken by mouth, once daily. It can be taken with or without food. Remember to take the medicine at the same time each day.

Get your blood pressure checked on a regular basis, while you are on Avapro dose.

Avapro warnings and precautions

Do not use this drug if you are allergic to irbesartan or to ACE inhibitors such as benazepril, captopril. Prior to taking Avapro, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, congestive heart failure, or if you are severely dehydrated.

Avoid drinking alcohol as it can lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of the drug. Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while you are on Avapro dose. Avoid getting up too fast from a lying or sitting position as you may fall. Do not perform activities that require alertness.

The drug can cause harm or even death to an unborn child. Thus, pregnant women must not use this drug, unless prescribed by the doctor. It is not known if the medication passes into breast milk and could harm the nursing baby. Therefore, lactating women should not use this drug without consulting their doctors.

What do I do if I have missed a Avapro dose?

If you have missed your Avapro dose, you can take the missed dose as soon as you remember but do not take it if it is time for your next (scheduled) dose. Do not take an extra dose to make up the missed one.

What do I do if I have taken a Avapro overdose?

If you have taken an Avapro overdose you should seek medical attention.

Avapro interactions

Before taking Avapro, consult your doctor if you are taking drugs like digoxin (Lanoxin, Digitalis), lithium, diuretics (water pill), blood thinner like warfarin (Coumadin), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen).

Also tell your doctor about all prescription and non-prescription medicines that you take, especially medication for treating cough and cold. Do not start taking any new medicine without consulting your doctor.

Avapro side effects

Avapro side effects include hives, breathing trouble, muscle pain, weakness, tenderness, fever, severe nausea, vomiting, pain or difficulty while urinating, increase or decrease in the amount of urination, severe dizziness, chest pain, unusual fatigue, pale eyes or skin, fast heart rate, dark colored urine, decreased sexual ability; swelling of face, tongue, lips or throat; and other allergic reactions. If you get any of these side effects after using Avapro, stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor right away.

Pain in stomach or abdomen, joints pain, runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, headache, heatburn, diarrhea, mild itching, skin rash, nervousness or anxiousness are some less serious side effects of Avapro.