Irbesartan

Irbesartan skeletal structure

Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker used alone or in combination with other agents in the therapy of hypertension and diabetic nephropathy.

Liver safety of Irbesartan

Irbesartan is associated with a low rate of transient serum aminotransferase elevations and has been linked to rare instances of acute liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Irbesartan

Irbesartan (ir" be sar' tan) was the third angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) to be approved for use in the United States and is still widely used for therapy of hypertension. Irbesartan inhibits the renin-angiotensin system by blocking the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1), which prevents the vasoconstriction and volume expansion induced by circulating angiotensin II and which accounts of its antihypertensive activity.

Mechanism of action of Irbesartan

Irbesartan was approved for use in the United States in 1997 for hypertension and indications were subsequently expanded to include diabetic nephropathy.

Dosage and administration for Irbesartan

Ibresartan is available in 75, 150 and 300 mg tablets generically and under the trade name Avapro. Fixed combinations of irbesartan with hydrochorothiazide are also available (Avalide and others). The typical dose of irbesartan in adults in 150 or 300 mg once daily, and it is used long term. Irbesartan is also available in fixed combinations with hydrochlorothiazide (Avalide).

Side effects of Irbesartan

Side effects are uncommon, but can include headache, dizziness, fatigue, cough and gastrointestinal upset. Many ARBs, but not specifically ibresartan, have been implicated in rare instances of a severe sprue-like enteropathy that presents with chronic diarrhea and weight loss with villous flattening and atrophy on intestinal biopsy. This syndrome does not improve to corticosteroids or to a gluetn-free diet, but does resolve promptly with stopping the angiotensin receptor blocker. This side effect is most common with olmesartan.

• Dailymed label info on Irbesartan
• FDA Irbesartan

Irbesartan Resources
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