Irbesartan
Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) taken once a day for high blood pressure and for kidney damage caused by type 2 diabetes. Tablets come in 150mg and 300mg.
Irbesartan
Irbesartan
150/300mg
Irbesartan 150mg and 300mg tablets for high blood pressure and kidney damage caused by type 2 diabetes, in packs of 30 up to 360 tablets.
What irbesartan is for
High blood pressure rarely announces itself — it usually turns up on a routine check rather than as something you can feel. Irbesartan brings it down. The same medicine is used in type 2 diabetes once the kidneys have begun to suffer, where it cuts the amount of protein escaping into the urine and slows the damage. In both cases it does one job: easing the tension inside blood vessels, including the tiny filters in the kidney. Pressure control is a long game, so the tablet is worth taking on days you feel perfectly well.
How it works
Angiotensin II is a hormone that narrows blood vessels. Irbesartan blocks the place where it attaches, so the vessels stay wider and the heart has less to push against. One tablet covers the whole day.
Irbesartan belongs to the angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). The related ACE inhibitors often cause a dry cough that does not go away; ARBs do not.
Taking your tablet each day
Take one tablet a day, either 150mg or 300mg, at the same time each day. Meals do not matter. Blood pressure comes down over a few weeks, so a reading in the first days tells you little.
Side effects and what to avoid
Light-headedness and unusual tiredness are the complaints that come up most, and they usually settle as the body adapts. Loose stools, indigestion or a little nausea happen to some people. Blood tests sometimes show potassium creeping up, which matters for heart rhythm, so potassium supplements and low-salt mixtures built on potassium are best avoided. Painkillers of the ibuprofen and naproxen type can work against irbesartan and put extra strain on the kidneys. Swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing, needs emergency care. Irbesartan is not used in pregnancy, because it can harm the developing baby. Alcohol sharpens the dizziness.
Avapro or plain irbesartan?
Two listings here hold irbesartan: Avapro, the brand name, and Irbesartan, sold under the ingredient's own name. Both come as 150mg and 300mg tablets, so strength and pack size are the only choices to make. Both sit in the Heart and Blood Pressure range.
Sources
- Irbesartan: MedlinePlus Drug Information — National Library of Medicine
- Diabetic Kidney Disease - Kidney Health Australia — Kidney Health Australia
Where can I order Irbesartan for delivery in Hong Kong?
You can order irbesartan online with delivery to Hong Kong. The range includes generic Avapro and Irbesartan tablets, both in 150mg and 300mg tablets. Should a parcel not arrive within the delivery window or arrive damaged, it is sent again at no cost, or refunded if that cannot be done.
How much do Irbesartan products cost in Hong Kong?
Prices vary between the two irbesartan products and between pack sizes. Every product page lists its current prices in HKD or in the currency you choose.
Do I need a prescription to order Irbesartan?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order irbesartan. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What are the brand names for irbesartan?
Avapro is a brand name of irbesartan, which is also sold as Karvea and Aprovel. Here, irbesartan can be bought online as generic Avapro and irbesartan tablets. These are generics, not the original brand.
How long does irbesartan take to work?
Pressure starts coming down within the first days of taking it, but the full benefit builds over a few weeks, so a home reading taken early can look disappointing. Keep going and judge the result over a month or two rather than a single morning.
Can I drink alcohol with irbesartan?
Yes, but keep it modest. Alcohol widens blood vessels on its own, so a heavy session on top of irbesartan can leave you dizzy, faint or unsteady when you stand up. If you notice that pattern, drinking less usually settles it.
What is the difference between Avapro and irbesartan tablets?
Avapro is a brand name for irbesartan; the plain tablets carry the ingredient's own name. Both listings in this shop contain irbesartan and both come as 150mg and 300mg tablets, so the choice between them comes down to name and pack size, not the medicine inside.
Is 300mg irbesartan a single tablet?
Yes. Both Avapro and Irbesartan come in 300mg tablets as well as 150mg, so a 300mg daily dose is one tablet, not two. A 150mg dose needs the 150mg tablet.
Can I take ibuprofen with irbesartan?
Occasional use is common, but regular ibuprofen, naproxen or similar anti-inflammatory painkillers can push blood pressure up, reduce how well irbesartan works and make the kidneys work harder. Paracetamol is the gentler everyday choice for aches and headaches.