Irbesartan Zentiva (Irbesartan)

• Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker used to manage conditions related to high blood pressure and renal protection.
• Hypertension: lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure, reducing cardiovascular risk.
• Diabetic nephropathy: slows progression of kidney disease in type‑2 diabetes patients.
• Proteinuria in diabetic kidney disease: reduces urinary protein excretion, supporting renal function.

• Irbesartan selectively blocks angiotensin II type 1 (AT₁) receptors on vascular smooth‑muscle cells, adrenal cortex and renal tubular cells. By preventing angiotensin II binding, it inhibits vasoconstriction, aldosterone secretion and sympathetic activation, leading to vasodilation, reduced sodium‑water retention and lowered blood pressure. The blockade also diminishes intraglomerular pressure, contributing to renal protective effects in diabetic patients. These actions collectively improve hemodynamic parameters and mitigate target‑organ damage.

Irbesartan may cause a range of adverse reactions, varying from mild to serious.

Common Side Effects

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Hyperkalaemia
• Abdominal pain

Serious or Rare Side Effects

• Angioedema
• Acute renal impairment
• Severe hypotension
• Hepatic injury
• Neutropenia
• Myocardial infarction

• Before prescribing Irbesartan, consider the following precautions to ensure safe use.
• Renal function: assess baseline creatinine and monitor periodically.
• Electrolytes: check potassium levels, especially in patients on potassium‑sparing diuretics.
• Pregnancy: contraindicated in second and third trimester due to fetal toxicity.
• Concurrent ACE inhibitor or ARB therapy: avoid combination to prevent renal failure.
• Hypotension: monitor blood pressure after initiation, especially in volume‑depleted patients.
• Store at ambient temperature: keep below 25 °C, protect from moisture and light.

Irbesartan can interact with several medicines; awareness of major and moderate interactions helps prevent adverse outcomes.

Major Interactions (Avoid)

• Concomitant use with ACE inhibitors or other ARBs: risk of severe hypotension, hyperkalaemia, renal failure.
• Potassium‑supplementing agents or potassium‑sparing diuretics: may cause dangerous hyperkala