Aprovel tablets contain the active ingredient irbesartan, which is a type of medicine called an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. It works by preventing the action of a hormone in the body called angiotensin II.
How to use this product
Normal dosage is 150 mg once a day. Depending on the effect, dosage can be changed by your physician. The effect will normally show after 4-6 weeks after starting the treatment.
Aprovel can be taken with or without food, and should be taken whole with a full glass of water. It is prefered to take thge medicine at the same time every day.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Dizziness
Nausea and vomiting
Fatigue
A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)
Pain in muscles or bones (musculoskeletal pain)
Diarrhoea
Indigestion (dyspepsia)
Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
Flushing
Cough
High blood potassium level (hyperkalaemia)
Chest pain
Sexual problems
Allergic reactions such as itchy, blistering skin rash (urticaria) or swelling of the lips, tongue and throat (angioedema)
Decreased kidney function
Precautions
If you have one of the following conditions, always consult your physician before using Aprovel:
-Elderly people over 75 years of age
-Decreased kidney function
-People having haemodialysis for kidney failure
-Narrowing of the artery which supplies blood to the kidneys (renal artery stenosis)
-Heart disease caused by inadequate blood flow to the heart (ischaemic heart disease)
-Heart disease characterised by thickening of the internal heart muscle and a blockage inside the heart (hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy)
-Severe heart failure
-Heart valve disease (mitral valve stenosis)
-Narrowing of the main artery of the body (aortic stenosis)
-People with low fluid volume or salt levels in the body, eg due to diuretic therapy, low-sodium diet, diarrhoea or vomiting
Drug Interactions
Irbesartan may enhance the effect of other medicines that decrease blood pressure. In particular, people taking diuretic medicines, eg furosemide, may have a large drop in blood pressure with the first dose. Since this may cause dizziness or fainting, if you are taking a diuretic medicine your doctor may reduce its dose or ask you to stop taking it two to three days before starting irbesartan. This is to prevent your blood pressure from dropping too low.
This medicine may increase the blood level of the medicine lithium, and it is therefore not recommended for people taking lithium. If your doctor feels the combination is necessary, your lithium level should be closely monitored.
There may be a risk of raised blood potassium levels (hyperkalaemia) if this medicine is taken with any of the following, hence these are not recommended for use in combination with this medicine:
other medicines that can increase blood potassium levels, eg heparin.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, eg indometacin) may reduce the blood pressure lowering effect of irbesartan. They may also increase the risk of raised blood potassium and kidney problems when used in combination with irbesartan. NSAIDs should be used with caution in people taking irbesartan, particularly elderly people, and your doctor may want to monitor your kidney function.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
