Irbesartan

Irbesartan is used for the treatment of hypertension. It may also delay progression of diabetic nephropathy and is also indicated for the reduction of renal disease progression in patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and microalbuminuria (>30 mg/24 h) or proteinuria (>900 mg/24 h).

Combination with diuretic

Irbesartan is also available in a fixed-dose combination formulation with hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic, to achieve an additive antihypertensive effect.

Common side effects include dizziness, diarrhea, feeling tired, muscle pain, and heartburn. Serious side effects may include kidney problems, low blood pressure, and angioedema. Use in pregnancy may harm the baby and use when breastfeeding is not recommended.

Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist and works by blocking the effects of angiotensin II.

Irbesartan was developed by Sanofi Research (part of Sanofi-Aventis). It is jointly marketed by Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb under the brand names Aprovel, Karvea, and Avapro.

It was patented in 1990, and approved for medical use in 1997. It is available as a generic medication. In 2023, it was the 134th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 4 million prescriptions.

Recalls

In 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that some versions of the angiotensin II receptor blocker medicines (including valsartan, losartan, irbesartan and other "-sartan" drugs) contained nitrosamine impurities. Health Canada also reported nitrosamine impurities.

The FDA issued revised guidelines about nitrosamine impurities in September 2024.