Product Name Co-Irbetel 150/12.5, Reduce Blood Pressure, Prevent Hypertension Complication - 28 Tablets Scientific Name Irbesartan 150 Mg + Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 Mg Tablets Category Of Co-Irbetel 150/12.5 Tablets Anti-Hypertensive Drugs Mechanism Of Action Of Irbesartan & Hydrochlorothiazide Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It works by blocking a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to constrict. As a result, irbesartan relaxes the blood vessels. This lowers blood pressure and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. Hydrochlorothiazide inhibits sodium chloride transport in the distal convoluted tubule. More sodium is then excreted in the kidney with accompanying fluid. Thus it increases urine excretion, which by turn decreases blood volume and finally blood pressure. On long-term usage, thiazide diuretic (TZD)-mediated chronic reduction of arterial pressure is thought to occur through decreased total peripheral vascular resistance. Therapeutic Indications Of Co-Irbetel 150/12.5 Tablets Treatment of essential hypertension. This fixed-dose combination is indicated in adult patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled on irbesartan or hydrochlorothiazide alone High blood pressure is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease. Method Of Administration Of Co-Irbetel 150/12.5 Tablets The tablets can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablets with a sufficient amount of water (e.g. one glass). If possible, take your daily dose at the same time each day, for example at breakfast time. Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The recommended starting dose is one tablet once a day. However, if your blood pressure is not controlled, your doctor may decide to change your dose Doses higher than 300 mg irbesartan/25 mg hydrochlorothiazide once daily are not recommended. Doses may be changed in special conditions so always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. If you take more than you should, talk to a doctor or go to the hospital straight away. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember it unless it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose (two doses at the same time) to make up for the forgotten dose. Undesirable Side Effects Of Co-Irbetel 150/12.5 Tablets Dizziness increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and creatine kinase orthostatic dizziness headache cough nausea/vomiting hyperkalaemia Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Precautions While Taking Co-Irbetel 150/12.5 Tablets If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Non-Pharmacological Treatments & Advice To Reduce Blood Pressure To measure blood pressure correctly: Don’t eat or drink anything 30 minutes before you take your blood pressure. Empty your bladder before your reading. Sit in a comfortable chair with your back supported for at least 5 minutes before your reading. Put both feet flat on the ground and keep your legs uncrossed. Rest your arm with the cuff on a table at chest height. Make sure the blood pressure cuff is snug but not too tight. The cuff should be against your bare skin, not over clothing. Do not talk while your blood pressure is being measured. You will also find the following Non-Pharmacological treatments effective in blood pressure reduction: Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline Exercise regularly Eat a healthy diet Reduce sodium in your diet Quit smoking Reduce caffeine Reduce your stress Monitor your blood pressure at home using for example Beurer, Blood Pressure Monitor or Omron Blood Pressure Measuring Device See your doctor regularly Warnings & Special Precautions While Taking Co-Irbetel 150/12.5 Tablets Don’t use the drug in the following conditions: Hypersensitivity to the active substances or any of the excipients, or to other sulfonamide-derived substances (hydrochlorothiazide is a sulfonamide-derived substance) Second and third trimesters of pregnancy Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 ml/min) Refractory hypokalemia, hypercalcemia Severe hepatic impairment, biliary cirrhosis, and cholestasis The concomitant use of this drug with aliskiren-containing products is contraindicated in patients with diabetes mellitus or renal impairment Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines including those used without prescriptions, vitamins & herbal drugs Storage Conditions Of Co-Irbetel 150/12.5 Tablets Store below 25°c Don’t refrigerate Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Store in the original package to protect from moisture. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the box/blisters/label. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month. Normal Ranges Normal: Blood pressure numbers of less than 120/80 mm Hg Elevated: is when readings consistently range from 120-129 systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. Hypertension Stage 1: is when blood pressure consistently ranges from 130-139 systolic or 80-89 mm Hg diastolic. Hypertension Stage 2: is when blood pressure consistently ranges at 140/90 mm Hg or higher. Hypertensive crisis: This stage of high blood pressure requires medical attention. If your blood pressure readings suddenly exceed 180/120 mm Hg, wait five minutes and then test your blood pressure again. If your readings are still unusually high, contact your doctor immediately. You could be experiencing a hypertensive crisis.