Irda 150 mg and 300 mg film-coated tablets – irbesartan for high blood pressure and kidney protection in diabetes

Irda film-coated tablets contain irbesartan, a medicine from the group of angiotensin II receptor antagonists (sartans). Angiotensin II is a substance produced in the body that binds to receptors in blood vessels and narrows them, which raises blood pressure. Irbesartan prevents this binding, so the blood vessels relax and widen and blood pressure falls.

According to the leaflet, Irda also slows the decrease of kidney function in patients with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. It is available in strengths of 150 mg and 300 mg as film-coated tablets and is intended for adults only.

What is Irda used for and how should it be taken correctly?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Irda used for?

• treatment of high blood pressure (essential hypertension) in adults;
• protection of the kidneys in adult patients with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and reduced kidney function confirmed by laboratory tests (as part of antihypertensive treatment).

How is Irda taken and dosed?

• High blood pressure: the usual dose is 150 mg once a day. Depending on the response, the doctor may increase the dose to 300 mg once a day or add another blood pressure medicine (e.g. the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide).
• High blood pressure and kidney disease due to type 2 diabetes: treatment is started with 150 mg once a day and then increased to 300 mg once a day, which is the recommended maintenance dose.
• In patients on haemodialysis and people over 75 years the doctor may consider a starting dose of 75 mg – this dose cannot be achieved with tablets of this medicine, so another product of suitable strength is used.
• Swallow the tablet with enough liquid (e.g. a glass of water), with or without food, preferably at about the same time every day. The tablet has a score line and can be divided into equal doses.
• The maximum blood pressure lowering effect is reached 4–6 weeks after starting treatment. Keep taking the medicine until your doctor tells you otherwise.

Special patient groups

• Children and adolescents (under 18 years): the medicine is not used because safety and efficacy have not been established. If a child accidentally swallows a tablet, contact a doctor immediately.
• Elderly patients: dose adjustment is usually not needed; in people over 75 years a lower starting dose may be considered.
• Impaired kidney function: no dose adjustment is needed; periodic monitoring of potassium and creatinine is recommended. In haemodialysis a lower starting dose is considered.
• Impaired liver function: no dose change in mild to moderate impairment; there is no experience in severe liver impairment.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• hypersensitivity to irbesartan or any of the excipients;
• second and third trimester of pregnancy (after the third month);
• concomitant use with aliskiren-containing medicines in patients with diabetes or impaired kidney function (GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²).

Warnings and precautions

• severe vomiting or diarrhoea, intensive diuretic treatment or salt restriction – a marked drop in blood pressure is possible, especially after the first dose;
• kidney disease, kidney transplant, narrowing of the renal arteries – increased risk of severe hypotension and worsening kidney function;
• heart disease, narrowing of the aortic or mitral valve, obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy;
• diabetes – irbesartan may cause hypoglycaemia (sweating, weakness, hunger, trembling, palpitations), especially with insulin or oral antidiabetics;
• concomitant ACE inhibitors (e.g. enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril) or aliskiren – increased risk of low blood pressure, high potassium and kidney damage;
• planned surgery or anaesthesia – tell the doctor you are taking this medicine;
• primary aldosteronism – use is not recommended;
• the medicine contains lactose – patients with rare hereditary galactose intolerance, lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption must not take it.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

• potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes, potassium-sparing diuretics, heparin – risk of increased blood potassium;
• lithium – the combination is not recommended (possible increase in lithium levels and toxicity); if necessary, lithium levels are monitored;
• NSAIDs (pain and anti-inflammatory medicines, acetylsalicylic acid > 3 g daily) – weaker effect on blood pressure and higher risk of worsening kidney function, especially in the elderly;
• ACE inhibitors and aliskiren – dual RAAS blockade is not recommended;
• repaglinide and other antidiabetics – dose adjustment may be needed;
• other blood pressure medicines and diuretics – enhanced blood pressure lowering;
• the medicine can be taken regardless of food.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

• Pregnancy: the medicine is not recommended in the first trimester and is contraindicated in the second and third trimester because it can seriously harm the unborn baby (reduced fetal kidney function, reduced amniotic fluid, delayed ossification of the skull). Before a planned pregnancy, or as soon as pregnancy is confirmed, the doctor will switch to another medicine.
• Breast-feeding: use is not recommended; the doctor will choose another medicine, especially if the baby is newborn or premature.

Driving and using machines

• The medicine is unlikely to affect the ability to drive or use machines. However, dizziness or tiredness may occasionally occur during treatment of high blood pressure – if this happens, talk to your doctor before driving or using machines.

Possible side effects

• Very common: in patients with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease – increased blood potassium.
• Common: dizziness, nausea/vomiting, fatigue, increased creatine kinase in the blood; in patients with diabetes and kidney disease also dizziness and a drop in blood pressure on standing up, joint or muscle pain, decreased haemoglobin.
• Uncommon: fast heartbeat, flushing with a feeling of warmth, cough, diarrhoea, indigestion/heartburn, sexual dysfunction, chest pain. Rare: intestinal angioedema – swelling of the intestinal lining with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
• Frequency not known (post-marketing): spinning sensation, headache, taste disturbance, ringing in the ears, muscle cramps, reduced platelet count, abnormal liver function, increased potassium, reduced kidney function, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, hypoglycaemia, severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock); occasionally jaundice.
• Rare – allergic reactions: rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips and/or tongue – stop taking the medicine and contact a doctor immediately.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: if you have taken more tablets than you should, contact a doctor or pharmacist immediately. According to the SmPC, the most common symptoms are low blood pressure and fast heartbeat; slow heartbeat is also possible; irbesartan is not removed by haemodialysis.
• Missed dose: take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose.
• Stopping treatment: do not stop treatment without talking to your doctor, even if you feel well.

Related information

For additional care and support with high blood pressure, see also the category Blood pressure monitors – products in this category do not replace the medicine you have been prescribed.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substance: irbesartan – 150 mg or 300 mg per film-coated tablet.
• Excipients: lactose monohydrate and cellulose powder; microcrystalline cellulose; pregelatinised maize starch; croscarmellose sodium; colloidal anhydrous silica; magnesium stearate; film coating (Opadry YS-1 7003 White): titanium dioxide, hypromellose 3 cP and 6 cP, macrogol 400, polysorbate 80.
• Appearance: oval, biconvex white film-coated tablets with a score line on one side; the tablet can be divided into equal doses.
• Pack: 28 film-coated tablets (2 blisters of 14), both strengths.
• Marketing authorisation holder / manufacturer: marketing authorisation holder: Predstavništvo Nobel Ilac Sanayii ve Ticaret AS Beograd; manufacturer: Nobel Ilac Sanayii ve Ticaret A.S., Duzce, Turkey.
• Authorisation number: 150 mg: 000461253 2023; 300 mg: 000461580 2023 (first authorisation of 24.04.2025).

Storage

• Store below 25 °C in the original package. Shelf life: 3 years.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date; return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects unused medicines.

Frequently asked questions

Can an Irda tablet be halved?

Yes. According to the leaflet, the 150 mg and 300 mg tablets have a score line and can be divided into equal doses. Only split them if your doctor has prescribed it.

What is the difference between Irda 150 mg and 300 mg?

Both contain irbesartan. The usual starting dose for high blood pressure is 150 mg once a day, which the doctor may increase to 300 mg. For kidney disease due to type 2 diabetes the maintenance dose is 300 mg once a day.

Can Irda cause a cough?

Cough is listed as an uncommon side effect (in up to 1 in 100 patients). If the cough bothers you, see your doctor; do not stop the medicine on your own.

Can I take painkillers with Irda?

NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen, diclofenac) may reduce the effect of Irda and increase the risk of kidney damage. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking them.

Sources

• ALIMS – Irda® 150 mg and 300 mg patient leaflet (PIL)
• ALIMS – Irda® summary of product characteristics (SmPC)

Date sources were checked: 25.10.2026.