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
- anxiety
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- headache
- heartburn
- muscle or joint pain
- nausea
- nervousness
- tiredness
- urinary tract infection
- 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 taking 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 take this medication.
Kidney problems: Irbesartan may affect the function of the kidneys, especially in those who are at risk for (e.g., people with severe heart failure) or already have kidney problems. If you have pre-existing kidney problems and take this medication, your doctor will closely monitor your kidney function.
Low blood pressure: Occasionally, a larger-than-expected decrease in
blood pressure occurs after taking irbesartan. It is more likely to occur if
you take diuretics (water pills), have a 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.
Pregnancy: Irbesartan should not be used during pregnancy. If you become
pregnant while taking this medication, stop taking irbesartan and tell your
doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known whether irbesartan passes 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 irbesartan have not been established
for children. This medication has not been evaluated in children less than 6
years old.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
There may be an interaction between irbesartan and any of the following:
- lithium
- medications that increase the level of potassium in the blood (e.g., spironolactone, amiloride, triamterene, or salt substitutes that contain potassium)
- other blood pressure medications
- potassium pills or potassium supplements
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.