Indapamide tablets

About indapamide

Indapamide is prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). Although it belongs to a group of medicines called diuretics (which generally work by making the kidneys pass more urine out of the body), at the doses prescribed for hypertension, indapamide is considered to work by widening (dilating) blood vessels. By widening the blood vessels, it reduces the pressure inside the blood vessels and over time this leads to a lowering of high blood pressure.

Indapamide is available as standard tablets and also as modified-release tablets. Both forms of tablet are taken just once daily. The modified-release tablets have letters such as 'XL' or 'SR' after their brand name. Modified-release tablets release indapamide more slowly over the day than the standard tablets do.

Indapamide can be used as a treatment for high blood pressure on its own, or it can be prescribed in combination with other medicines which reduce blood pressure.

Before taking indapamide

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking indapamide it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• If you have any problems with the way your liver works, or any problems with the way your kidneys work.

• If you have gout, diabetes or an inflammatory condition called systemic lupus erythematosus (also called lupus, or SLE). These conditions can be made worse by medicines like indapamide.

• If you have been told by a doctor that you have low sodium or potassium levels in your blood, or high calcium levels in your blood.

• If you have a problem with your adrenal glands, called Addison's disease.

• If you have a rare inherited blood disorder called porphyria.

• If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine. It is particularly important that you tell your doctor if you have an allergy to penicillin or you have had an unusual reaction to a medicine known as a 'sulfonamide'.

How to take indapamide

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about indapamide and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take indapamide exactly as your doctor tells you to. The usual dose is one tablet daily. Your doctor is likely to recommend that you take the tablet in the morning.

• Swallow the tablet with a drink of water. You can take it either before or after a meal.

• If you have been prescribed a modified-release tablet (these have 'SR' or 'XL' after the brand name), these tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not break, crush or chew them.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is after 6 pm, you should skip the forgotten dose and take your next dose as usual on the following day. Do not take two doses on the same day to make up for a missed dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Treatment for high blood pressure (hypertension) is usually long-term. Although many people with high blood pressure do not feel unwell, if left untreated, high blood pressure can harm your heart and damage your blood vessels. This damage may later result in a heart attack, stroke, or kidney problems, so it is important that you continue to take these tablets regularly to help reduce the risk of this.

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can monitor your blood pressure and check on your progress. Also, the salt balance in your bloodstream may be upset by indapamide and your doctor may want you to have a blood test from time to time to check for this.

• You may be given some lifestyle or dietary advice by your doctor, such as stopping smoking, reducing the amount of salt in your diet and taking some regular exercise. Following this advice will also help to reduce the risk of damage to your heart and blood vessels.

• Drinking alcohol while you are on indapamide may make you feel dizzy. Ask for your doctor's advice about whether you should avoid alcohol.

• If you are due to have an operation or dental treatment, you should tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.

• If you are an athlete, please be aware that indapamide may give a positive reaction in doping tests.

Can indapamide cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with indapamide. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the tablets, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store indapamide

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines