Irbesartan Sandoz 150 mg tablets EFG

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Introduction

Package leaflet: information for the patient

Irbesartán Sandoz 150 mg tablets EFG

Read the entire leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
• If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only and must not be given to other people, even if they have the same symptoms as you, because it may harm them.
• If you experience any adverse effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are adverse effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Leaflet contents

1. What Irbesartán Sandoz is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before taking Irbesartán Sandoz
3. How to take Irbesartán Sandoz
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Irbesartán Sandoz
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Irbesartán Sandoz is and what it is used for

Irbesartan belongs to a group of medicines known as angiotensin-II receptor antagonists. Angiotensin-II is a substance produced in the body that binds to receptors, causing blood vessels to constrict. This results in an increase in blood pressure. Irbesartan prevents angiotensin-II from binding to these receptors, relaxing the blood vessels and thereby lowering blood pressure. Irbesartan slows down the decline in kidney function in patients with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

Irbesartán Sandoz is used in adult patients:

• to treat high blood pressure (essential hypertension),

• to protect the kidneys in patients with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and clinical evidence of impaired kidney function.

2. What you need to know before taking Irbesartán Sandoz

Do not take Irbesartán Sandoz:

• if you are allergic to the active substance or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6),
• if you are more than 3 months pregnant. (In any case, it is better to avoid taking this medicine also during early pregnancy – see Pregnancy section),
• if you have diabetes or renal impairment and are being treated with a blood pressure-lowering medicine containing aliskiren.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor before starting treatment with irbesartan and if any of the following apply to you:

• if you have excessive vomiting or diarrhea,
• if you have kidney problems,
• if you have heart problems,
• if you are taking irbesartan for diabetic kidney disease. In this case, your doctor may perform regular blood tests, especially to monitor potassium levels if you have impaired kidney function,
• if you have low blood sugar levels (symptoms may include sweating, weakness, hunger, dizziness, trembling, headache, flushing or paleness, numbness, rapid and strong heartbeat), especially if you are being treated for diabetes,
• if you are going to have surgery (surgical procedure) or will receive anesthetics,
• if you are taking any of the following medicines used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension):
  • an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor) (e.g., enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril), particularly if you have kidney problems related to diabetes,
  • aliskiren.

Your doctor may monitor your kidney function, blood pressure, and blood electrolyte levels (e.g., potassium) at regular intervals.

See also the information under the heading “Do not take Irbesartán Sandoz”.

If you are pregnant, suspect you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, you must inform your doctor. Use of irbesartan is not recommended during early pregnancy (first 3 months), and it must not be administered from the third month of pregnancy onward, as it may cause severe harm to your baby.

Consult your doctor if you experience abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea after taking irbesartan. Your doctor will decide whether to continue treatment. Do not stop taking irbesartan on your own.

Children and adolescents

This medicine must not be used in children and adolescents, as safety and efficacy have not yet been fully established.

Other medicines and Irbesartán Sandoz

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might need to take any other medicines.

Your doctor may need to adjust your dose and/or take additional precautions:

If you are taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor) or aliskiren (see also information under the headings “Do not take Irbesartán Sandoz” and “Warnings and precautions”).

You may need blood tests if you are taking:

• potassium supplements,
• salt substitutes containing potassium,
• potassium-sparing medicines (such as certain diuretics),
• medicines containing lithium,
• repaglinide (a medicine used to lower blood sugar levels).

If you are using a type of painkiller known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the effect of irbesartan may be reduced.

Taking Irbesartán Sandoz with food and drink

Irbesartán Sandoz can be taken with or without food.

The tablets should be swallowed with water.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine. Generally, your doctor will advise you to stop taking irbesartan before becoming pregnant or as soon as pregnancy is detected, and will recommend an alternative antihypertensive medicine. Use of irbesartan is not recommended during early pregnancy, and it must not be administered from the third month of pregnancy onward, as it may cause severe harm to your baby when used from that stage.

Breast-feeding

Inform your doctor if you are planning to start or are currently breastfeeding, as irbesartan is not recommended for women during this period. Your doctor may decide to prescribe a different treatment if you wish to breastfeed, especially if the baby is a newborn or premature.

Driving and using machines

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed.

It is unlikely that irbesartan affects the ability to drive or operate machinery. However, during treatment for hypertension, dizziness or fatigue may occasionally occur. If you experience these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor before driving or operating machinery.

Irbesartán Sandoz contains lactose and hydrogenated castor oil

This medicine contains lactose. If your doctor has informed you that you have an intolerance to certain sugars, consult with them before taking this medicine.

This medicine may cause stomach discomfort and diarrhea because it contains hydrogenated castor oil.

3. How to take Irbesartán Sandoz

Follow exactly the instructions for use of this medicine as given by your doctor or pharmacist. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

Method of administration:

Irbesartán Sandoz is administered orally. The tablets should be swallowed with a sufficient amount of liquid (e.g., a glass of water). Irbesartán Sandoz can be taken with or without food. You should try to take your daily dose at the same time each day. It is important that you continue taking this medicine until your doctor advises otherwise.

Patients with high blood pressure

The usual dose is 150 mg once daily. Subsequently, and depending on the blood pressure response, this dose may be increased to 300 mg once daily.

Patients with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes with kidney impairment

In patients with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, the recommended maintenance dose for treatment of associated kidney impairment is 300 mg once daily.

Your doctor may recommend a lower dose, especially at the beginning of treatment, in certain patients, such as those undergoing haemodialysis or patients over 75 years of age.

The maximum blood pressure-lowering effect should be achieved within 4–6 weeks after starting treatment.

Use in children and adolescents

Irbesartán Sandoz must not be given to children under 18 years of age. If a child swallows several tablets, contact your doctor immediately.

If you take more Irbesartán Sandoz than you should

If you accidentally take too many tablets, or if a child swallows several, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service, telephone: 91 562 04 20, indicating the medicine and the amount ingested.

If you forget to take Irbesartán Sandoz

If you accidentally miss a dose, simply take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.

If you have any further questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible adverse effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not everyone will experience them.

However, some of these effects may be serious and may require medical attention.

As with similar medicines, rare cases of skin allergic reactions (rash, urticaria) as well as localized swelling of the face, lips and/or tongue have been reported in patients treated with irbesartan. If you think you may be experiencing a reaction of this type or have difficulty breathing, stop taking irbesartan and seek immediate medical attention.

The adverse effects listed below are grouped according to their frequency as follows:

Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 patients.

Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 patients.

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 patients.

Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1000 patients.

Adverse effects reported in clinical trials conducted in patients treated with irbesartan were:

• Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 patients): if you have high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes with kidney impairment, blood tests may show increased levels of potassium.

• Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 patients): dizziness, nausea/vomiting, fatigue, and blood tests may show elevated levels of an enzyme that measures muscle and heart function (creatine kinase enzyme). In patients with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes with kidney impairment, dizziness (especially when standing up), low blood pressure (especially upon standing), muscle or joint pain, and decreased levels of a protein present in red blood cells (hemoglobin).

• Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 patients): tachycardia, skin flushing, cough, diarrhoea, indigestion/heartburn, sexual dysfunction (impaired sexual function), and chest pain.

• Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1000 patients): intestinal angioedema; swelling in the intestine causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Since the marketing of irbesartan, some adverse effects have been reported. Adverse effects reported with unknown frequency include: sensation of spinning (vertigo), headache, taste disturbances, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), muscle cramps, muscle and joint pain, reduction in the number of red blood cells (anaemia - symptoms may include tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath on exertion, dizziness and paleness), reduction in the number of platelets, abnormal liver function, increased blood potassium levels, impaired kidney function, inflammation of small blood vessels, mainly in the skin (a condition known as leukocytoclastic vasculitis), severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock), and low blood sugar levels.

Occasional cases of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes) have also been observed.

Reporting of adverse effects

If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible adverse effect not listed in this leaflet. You may also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Medicines: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting adverse effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of Irbesartan Sandoz

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

No special storage conditions are required. Store in the original packaging to protect from light.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the packaging after “CAD/EXP”. The expiry date is the last day of the month indicated.

Medicines must not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Dispose of empty containers and unused medicines at the SIGRE collection point at your pharmacy. If you are unsure, please ask your pharmacist how to dispose of unused medicines and their containers. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

If you would like more information about your condition or your treatment, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Composition of Irbesartan Sandoz 150 mg tablets EFG

• The active substance is irbesartan. Each tablet contains 150 mg of irbesartan.
• The other components are: povidone K90 (E-1201), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose (E-460), lactose monohydrate, sodium croscarmellose, colloidal anhydrous silica, hydrogenated castor oil, and corn starch.

Nature of the product and pack contents

Irbesartan Sandoz 150 mg tablets are white, cylindrical, biconvex, and scored. The tablet can be divided into equal doses.

Each pack contains 28 tablets.

Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorization Holder

Sandoz Farmacéutica S.A.

Centro Empresarial Parque Norte
Edificio Roble
C/ Serrano Galvache, 56
28033 Madrid
Spain

Manufacturer:

Laboratorios LICONSA, S.A.
Avd. Miralcampo, nº 7
Polígono Industrial Miralcampo
19200 Azuqueca de Henares (Guadalajara)
Spain

Date of the most recent review of this leaflet: February 2025

Detailed and up-to-date information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/