Reviewed by Dr Roy Kedem, MD
Information last reviewed 10/16/19
Indapamide belongs to a class of drugs called diuretics – or water pills – and is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. Available via a doctor’s prescription, Indapamide comes in tablet form and can be used in combination with other blood pressure-reducing medications. Taking Indapamide can effectively reduce the chance of experiencing a stroke, heart attack or kidney problems.
Indapamide increases the frequency of urination, helping the body to expel excess potassium, sodium, and water through the kidneys. Decreasing levels of salt, minerals and fluid, allows the blood vessels to dilate, which, in turn, helps to effectively reduce the swelling and high blood pressure commonly associated with congestive heart failure.
Indapamide usually begins to take effect within 2 hours of ingestion. It can, however, take up to a week before the initial effects are felt and up to 12 weeks to experience the full benefits of the medication.
Studies have shown Indapamide to be more effective than other diuretics at controlling blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart failure. A single dose of Indapamide will lower blood pressure for a minimum of 24 hours, which means that most users will only need to take it once a day. The medicines longer duration of action and increased efficacy in reducing blood pressure renders it a more viable treatment option than other diuretics.
The active ingredient in Indapamide is indapamide USP. It works by decreasing salts and water in the body, which helps the blood vessels to dilate, lowering blood pressure.
The inactive ingredients in Indapamide are corn starch, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, talc and titanium dioxide.
It is rare to have a severe allergic reaction to indapamide. If you do have a severe allergic reaction to this medication, you might experience lip swelling, difficulty breathing, rash, dizziness and tightening of the chest. Please make sure to get medical attention if you notice any of these symptoms shortly after taking Indapamide.
Indapamide tablets are available in 1.25 mg or 2 mg doses. If Indapamide is being used to reduce your blood pressure, generally, you will start to take these tablets at a daily dose of 1.25 mg, which your doctor may increase to a maximum of 5 mg a day.
As Indapamide is a diuretic, it can also be used to encourage fluid loss. If you are taking Indapamide for this purpose, generally, you will begin with 2.5 mg per day, increasing to 5 mg per day if needed.
If you miss a dose of Indapamide you should take it as soon as possible unless you are within 12 hours of your next dose. It is better to miss a dose completely than to take too much Indapamide, which can have dangerous side effects.
Indapamide is usually administered once a day – preferably in the morning. You must swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water, with or without food. Do not crush, break or chew the tablets as this can prevent them from working.
If you have difficulty swallowing the tablet, speak with your doctor for advice. It is important not to take the medication at night or too late in the day (after 4pm) as the increased inclination to urinate may disturb your sleep.
Taking an extra dose of Indapamide by accident is unlikely to cause any serious harm. Symptoms of Indapamide overdose may include:
Contact your doctor if you think you may have overdosed on Indapamide.
Common side effects of Indapamide, affecting more than 5% of users include:
Other side effects can include:
Indapamide can interact with a number of drugs including the following:
Indapamide may have effects upon the following diseases, therefore it is important that you let the prescribing physician know if you have any of the following conditions:
Indapamide is contraindicated for breastfeeding women and for children.
The 1.25 mg tablets are orange, round, film-coated tablets.
The 2.5 mg tablets are white, round, film-coated tablets
Many doctors and health professionals prefer Indapamide as a treatment for high blood pressure due to the increased amounts of evidence showing improved clinical outcomes, as compared to Bendroflumethiazide. Indapamide has also shown to produce improved overall cardiovascular outcomes.
Indapamide is safe to take long-term and many users may have to take it for the rest of their lives in order to maintain healthy blood pressure levels. Your doctor may conduct regular blood pressure, urine and blood checks to ensure that the chemicals in your body are balanced, and to confirm that your kidneys are functioning properly.
If you stop your medication, it could cause your blood pressure levels to rise abruptly, thereby, increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
It is advised to stop consuming alcohol during the first few days of taking Indapamide or when increasing your dose as it can produce dizziness or light-headedness. If no such effects are felt, it is usually safe to drink alcohol in moderation; however, consuming excessive amounts may raise your blood pressure and cause dehydration.
If you have a fever, sweats or shaking, vomiting or diarrhea, consult your doctor as you may need to temporarily stop taking Indapamide until you feel better, in order to prevent further dehydration. You can start taking the medication again as normal once your illness subsides.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. You and your physician will determine if and how you should take any medication prescribed to you following a medical consultation.
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