What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. It can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.
- abdominal pain
- changes in urination
- chest pain
- dizziness, especially when getting up from a sitting or lying position
- fatigue
- flu
- heartburn
- increased or rapid heart rate
- muscle or joint pain
- nausea
- rash
- vomiting
Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone at 1-800-332-1088.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Cholesterol: Cholesterol levels may increase when taking this medication.
Diabetes: If you have diabetes, this medication may make it more difficult for you to control your blood sugar. To ensure you receive the maximum benefit from the medication, it is important to take this medication regularly and to follow your doctor's instructions regarding blood pressure monitoring. An adjustment to doses of antidiabetes agents, including insulin, may be required.
Electrolytes: This medication can affect the levels of electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, chloride, and calcium. Your doctor will periodically check to see if these are in balance. Warning signs or symptoms of fluid and electrolyte imbalance include:
- confusion
- drowsiness
- dryness of mouth
- lethargy
- low blood pressure
- muscle pains or cramps
- muscular fatigue
- nausea and vomiting
- racing heartbeat
- restlessness
- seizures
- thirst
- weakness
Eye problems: This medication may have an effect on your vision. If you experience sudden changes in your eye sight or pain in your eyes, consult your doctor immediately.
Gout: High levels of uric acid may occur in the blood known as gout (a type of arthritis that causes sudden, severe attacks of joint pain with redness, warmth, and swelling in the affected area), which may be brought on in certain people receiving this medication.
Kidney problems: This medication may affect the function of the kidneys, especially in those who already have kidney problems or have severe congestive heart failure. Your doctor will monitor your kidney function closely. This medication is not recommended for people with severely impaired kidney function.
Liver problems: If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition or medications may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Low blood pressure: Occasionally, a greater-than-expected drop in blood pressure occurs after taking this medication. It is more likely to occur if you are taking additional diuretics (water pills), have reduced salt intake, are on dialysis, or are experiencing diarrhea or vomiting.
Blood pressure should be monitored more often in these situations. If you experience dizziness while taking this medication, contact your doctor and have your blood pressure checked.
Lupus: This medication may worsen or activate lupus.
Pregnancy: Irbesartan - hydrochlorothiazide can cause serious harm to the unborn baby. This medication should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, stop taking it and contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: This medication may pass into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children.
Seniors: People over the age of 65 may be more sensitive to the effects of this medication.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
There may be an interaction between irbesartan - hydrochlorothiazide and any of the following:
- ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone)
- alcohol
- antidiabetes medications (e.g., insulin and oral agents)
- barbiturates (e.g., secobarbital, phenobarbital)
- cholestyramine
- colestipol
- corticosteroids
- lithium
- medications that increase the level of potassium in the blood (e.g., spironolactone,
triamterene, amiloride)
- narcotics (e.g., morphine, codeine)
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; e.g., naproxen, ibuprofen)
- other medications that lower blood pressure
- potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium
- skeletal muscle relaxant
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.