How does it work?

Indapamide belongs to the class of medicines known as diuretics. Diuretics act in the kidney to remove water from the blood into the urine, by causing an increase in the removal of salts such as potassium and sodium from the blood. This removal of salts causes water to be drawn out of the blood and into the kidneys, where it is then excreted in the urine. Removing water from the blood decreases the volume of fluid circulating through the blood vessels. The drop in fluid volume results in a drop in the pressure of the fluid within the blood vessels, which helps to lower high blood pressure. It also decreases the effort required by the heart to pump blood around the body. Although indapamide is classed as a diuretic, its main mechanism of lowering blood pressure is due to a direct action on the blood vessels. It is thought that indapamide blocks the movement of calcium into the muscle in blood vessel walls. As calcium is required for the muscles to contract and cause the blood vessels to narrow, indapamide causes the blood vessels to widen. This helps to lower blood pressure.

What is it used for?

High blood pressure

Warning!

It is recommended that individuals taking this medicine have their fluid and salt (electrolyte) balance monitored regularly.

If you experience any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine you should inform your doctor promptly, so that the amount of fluids and salts in your body can be checked: thirst, lethargy, confusion, weakness, drowsiness, muscle cramps, scanty production of urine, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, nausea and vomiting.

As diuretics cause your kidneys to produce more urine, you may prefer to take this medicine in the morning rather than before going to bed, as this will reduce the likelihood of you needing to get up in the night to visit the toilet. Seek further advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Use with caution in

Coronary heart disease

Decreased kidney function

Elderly people

Gout

High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia)

Malnutrition

Over activity of the parathyroid glands (hyperparathyroidism)

Overproduction of aldosterone, a steroid hormone which regulates salt and water balance (hyperaldosteronism)

Not to be used in

Allergy to medicines from the sulphonamide group, eg the antibiotic sulphamethoxazole

People who have recently had a stroke

Severe liver failure

Worsening of poor kidney funtion

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should therefore be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

There is no information available about the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. For this reason, the manufacturer states that it should not be used during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Rash

Low blood potassium level (hypokalaemia)

Inability of a man to have an erection (impotence)

Muscle cramps

Fatigue

Blood disorders

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Indigestion (dyspepsia)

Dizziness

Loss of appetite

A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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