Irbesartan: Let's learn about this medicine for blood pressure? (Irbesartan)

Has your doctor prescribed you a medicine called 'Irbesartan' for your blood pressure? Or is someone in your family, like your parents, using this medicine? When you hear the name of this medicine, many questions like "What is it for?", "How do I take it?", "Will there be any side effects?" probably come to your mind. Don't worry, it's very normal. Today, we will find answers to all the questions you have about this medicine called Irbesartan. Just like talking to your friend, I will explain everything simply and clearly.

Simply put, what is Irbesartan?

Irbesartan is a medication that is mainly used to treat high blood pressure , or "pressure," as we all know it. It is also used to prevent kidney damage in some patients with diabetes.

Now, look at how this works. Imagine that the blood vessels in our body are like pipes that carry water. High pressure means that the pressure inside these pipes is high. Then the heart has to work very hard to pump blood through these pipes. What Irbesartan does is to loosen and widen these blood vessels in our body. Just like when you make a clogged water pipe a little bigger, the water flows more easily, when the blood vessels widen, the obstruction to blood flow is reduced. Then the heart doesn't have to work as hard. This is how this medicine controls the pressure.

Medically speaking, this is a drug that belongs to a group of drugs called ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers) . You don't have to think too deeply about it, it's something that's important to doctors. The most important thing you need to know is that it lowers blood pressure and reduces the workload on the heart.

Things you need to tell your doctor before you start taking this medicine

This is a very important point. Before starting any medication, it is essential that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition. Before giving you Irbesartan, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor without hiding it.

• If you have a condition such as heart disease or heart failure .
• If you have kidney or liver disease .
• If you have previously had an allergic reaction to Irbesartan or any other medicine, food, or dye .
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. (This is extremely important, we will talk about this further).
• If you are a breastfeeding mother .

Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medicine is suitable for you or not, and what dosage to give it.

How should I use the medicine exactly?

The most important thing is to follow the doctor's instructions.

• How to take: This is a pill that you take by mouth. Take the correct dosage as prescribed by your doctor.
• Time of taking: Try to take the medicine at the same time every day as much as possible. This will help keep the medicine's effectiveness at the same level in the body.
• With or without food: This medicine can be taken before or after food. However, some people may experience slight stomach upset if taken on an empty stomach. If this happens, it is best to take it with food.
• Stopping: Never stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so may cause your blood pressure to suddenly increase.
• For children: Children may need special care when taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about this.

What to do if you miss a dose of medication?

We don't always remember things the same way. So it's possible to miss a dose. If that happens, take it as soon as you remember. But if it's only a few hours until your next dose, which means it's very close, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose for any reason. Doing so can lead to an overdose and other problems.

What if I take too much medicine?

Imagine that you have taken more medicine than prescribed. It could be by mistake. If that happens, don't panic, but you need to act quickly. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the National Hospital in Colombo or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

What other things can interact with this medicine?

Some medications, supplements, and other things can interact with Irbesartan, affecting its effectiveness or increasing its side effects. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about everything you are taking - prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbal remedies, alcohol, and smoking.

The table below lists some of the things that may interact specifically with Irbesartan.

Things you should be especially careful about when taking the medicine

• Regular check-ups: Be sure to go to your doctor's appointments. The doctor will monitor things like your blood pressure and kidney function.
• Check your blood pressure: If your doctor tells you to check your blood pressure at home, do it carefully. Ask what your blood pressure should be and if it goes above a certain level, you should call your doctor .
• Pregnancy: This is very important! If you are a woman, are trying to become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Irbesartan can cause serious harm to an unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Your doctor will likely switch you to a safer medicine.
• Dizziness and drowsiness: Some people may feel a little drowsy and dizzy after taking this medication. Therefore , stay away from activities that require a lot of attention, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know exactly how this medication affects you.
• Avoid getting up too quickly: Don't get up suddenly from a sitting or lying position, especially if you are elderly. Doing so can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure (postural hypotension) and dizziness. Get up slowly.
• Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can make you feel dizzy and drowsy. It can also affect your blood pressure. So it's best to stay away from alcohol while taking this medication.
• Taking medication for other illnesses: If you are taking over-the-counter medication for coughs, colds, or body aches while taking this medication, ask your doctor about it. Because some of the ingredients in such medications can increase your blood pressure.

What are the possible side effects?

Like any medicine, Irbesartan has some potential for side effects. But these don't happen to everyone. Most of the time, they are minor. But there are some things we need to be careful about. Let's look at them separately.

This list does not include all side effects. If you notice anything unusual in addition to these, talk to your doctor about that as well.

How should you store your medicine?

• Keep it in a safe place, out of reach of children and pets.
• Store at room temperature (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius). Do not store in high humidity areas, such as the bathroom.
• Never use expired medications . Dispose of them properly.

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