Consumer medicine information

Blooms The Chemist Irbesartan HCTZ Tablets

Irbesartan; Hydrochlorothiazide

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Blooms the Chemist Irbesartan HCTZ

Active ingredient

Irbesartan; Hydrochlorothiazide

Schedule

S4

 

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start using Blooms The Chemist Irbesartan HCTZ Tablets.

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about irbesartan HCTZ. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may want to read it again.

What this medicine is used for

Irbesartan HCTZ is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Everyone has blood pressure. This pressure helps get your blood all around your body. Your blood pressure may be different at different times of the day, depending on how busy or worried you are. You have high blood pressure which means your blood pressure stays high, even when you are calm and relaxed.

There are usually no symptoms of high blood pressure. The only way of knowing that you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked on a regularly basis.

How it works

This product contains both irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Both medicines reduce blood pressure in different ways.

Irbesartan belongs to a group of medicines known as angiotensin-II receptor antagonists. Angiotensin II is a substance produced in the body which causes blood vessels to tighten. Irbesartan blocks angiotensin-II and therefore relaxes your blood vessels. This helps to lower your blood pressure.

HCTZ belongs to the class of medicines known as diuretics. Diuretics cause an increase in the volume of urine. They also help with lowering blood pressure particularly when combined with other blood pressure reducing medicines.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for another reason.

This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.

This medicine is not addictive.

There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine for children.

Before you take this medicine

When you must not take it

Do not take this medicine if you have an allergy to:

  • irbesartan
  • hydrochlorothiazide
  • sulfonamide derived medicines,
  • any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:

  • shortness of breath
  • wheezing or difficulty breathing
  • swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or other parts of the body
  • itching or hives on the skin.

Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Irbesartan HCTZ may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy.

Do not take this medicine if you are not producing urine.

Do not take this medicine if you are taking a medicine containing aliskiren and either have diabetes or moderate to severe kidney impairment.

Do not take this medicine if you have damage to your kidneys caused by diabetes, called 'diabetic nephropathy', and are on an ACE inhibitors or a group of medicines known as AIIRAs (medicines also used to treat high blood pressure).

Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:

  • psoriasis or a history of psoriasis
  • kidney problems, kidney transplant or dialysis
  • heart problems
  • liver problems
  • diabetes
  • gout
  • lupus erythematosus
  • high or low levels of potassium or sodium or other electrolytes in your blood or you are restricting your salt intake
  • primary aldosteronism
  • sympathectomy
  • have been taking diuretics. These are medicines that reduce fluid retention in your body and are often used to treat high blood pressure.
  • allergies or asthma
  • recent excessive vomiting or diarrhoea, dehydration
  • hypersensitivity to, or have had an allergic reaction to, penicillin
  • you have had skin cancer, or you develop an unexpected skin lesion during the treatment. Treatment with hydrochlorothiazide, particularly long-term use with high doses, may increase the risk of some types of skin and lip cancer (non-melanoma skin cancer). Protect your skin from sun exposure and UV rays while taking irbesartan HCTZ.
  • have a decrease in your vision or pain in one or both of your eyes. If so, you should discontinue Avapro HCT tablet treatment and seek prompt medical attention, as these could be symptoms of fluid accumulation in the eye (choroidal effusion) or an increase of pressure in your eye (glaucoma) and can happen within hours to weeks of taking Avapro HCT tablets. This can lead to permanent vision loss, if not treated. If you have had a penicillin or sulfonamide (sulfur drug) allergy, you can be at higher risk of developing this.

Do not take this medicine if you are taking diuretics.

Do not take this medicine if you are breastfeeding until you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved.

Do not take this medicine if you are planning to have surgery, dental treatment or an anaesthetic.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking this medicine.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines. This includes vitamins and supplements that are available from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may interact with irbesartan HCTZ. These include:

  • medicines for the heart or high blood pressure (e.g. digoxin, sotalol, other fluid tablets or diuretics)
  • lithium, used for mood disorders
  • potassium tablets, potassium containing salt substitutes or other medicinal products that may increase potassium levels in the blood (trimethoprim-containing medicines)
  • anti-inflammatory medicines such as NSAIDs used to relieve pain. Taking a combination of irbesartan HCTZ and an anti-inflammatory medicine or with a thiazide diuretic (fluid tablet) may damage your kidneys
  • alcohol
  • sleeping tablets
  • strong pain killing medicines such as codeine or morphine
  • medicines for diabetes (oral tablets/capsules or insulins or a medicine containing aliskiren)
  • medicines to treat diabetes, such as repaglinide. Avsartan HCT might induce hypoglycaemia; low blood sugar.
  • calcium supplements, medicines containing calcium or calcium sparing drugs (e.g. Vitamin D therapy)
  • medicines for gout
  • powder or granules used to help reduce cholesterol
  • corticosteroid medicines such as prednisone, cortisone or ACTH
  • medicines used to treat cancer (cytotoxic medicines)
  • medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease (e.g. amantadine) or anticholinergic medicines to relieve stomach cramps, spasms or used to prevent travel sickness
  • carbamazepine, used for epilepsy
  • medicines used during surgery
  • medicines used in an emergency such as adrenaline.

If you are taking any of these, you may need a different dose, or you may need to take different medicines.

Other medicines not listed above may also interact with irbesartan HCTZ.

How to take this medicine

Follow carefully all directions given to you by your doctor. They may differ to the information contained in this leaflet.

How much to take

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine you should take, depending on your condition and if you are taking any other medicines.

The usual dose is one tablet taken once a day. Depending on how your blood pressure responds, your doctor may change your dose.

How to take it

The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.

When to take it

Take this medicine at about the same time each day. Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.

To help you remember to take your tablets each day, Blooms The Chemist Irbesartan HCTZ tablets are supplied in a Calendar pack with the foil backing marked with the days of the week. This may help you to remember to take your tablets. All the tablets in the pack are the same.

When you start a new strip of tablets, take the tablet marked "START". On the next day, take the tablet marked with the relevant day of the week.

Continue taking your tablets each day until all the tablets are taken. Commence the next strip at "START" and continue as before.

It does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food.

How long to take it

Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.

Make sure you have enough to last over weekends and holidays.

If you forget to take it

If it is almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Otherwise take it as soon as you remember and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for missed doses. This may increase the chance of unwanted side effects.

If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.

While you are using this medicine

Things you must do

If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking this medicine.

Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you take this medicine.

Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant whilst taking this medicine.

Tell your doctor if you are about to have any blood tests, surgery or dental treatment, especially any treatment that may need anaesthetic.

Get up slowly when getting out of bed or standing up especially during the first few doses or if your dose is increased. You may feel light-headed or dizzy while taking this medicine. This may become worse if you stand up quickly as your blood pressure may fall. Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from bed or chairs, will help your body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. If this occurs, talk to your doctor.

Make sure you drink enough water during exercise and hot weather, especially if you sweat a lot. If you do not drink enough water, you may faint or feel lightheaded or sick. This is because your body does not have enough fluid and your blood pressure is low. If you continue to feel unwell, tell your doctor.

If you have excessive vomiting and/or diarrhoea while taking this medicine, tell your doctor. This can also mean that you are losing too much water and your blood pressure may become too low.

Tell your doctor if you experience an increased sensitivity of the skin to the sun with symptoms of sunburn (such as redness, itching, swelling, blistering) occurring more quickly than normal.

Go to your doctor regularly for a check-up. Your doctor may occasionally do tests to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent side effects.

Things you must not do

Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not take your medicine to treat any other complaint unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not stop taking your medicine, or change the dosage, without first checking with your doctor.

Things to be careful of

Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.

As with many other medicines used to treat high blood pressure, irbesartan HCTZ may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people. If you drink alcohol, dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.

The hydrochlorothiazide contained in this medicine could produce a positive analytical result in an antidoping test.

Side effects

Tell your doctor and pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking irbesartan HCTZ.

All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious but most of the time they are not.

Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:

  • headache
  • dizziness or light-headedness
  • unusual tiredness or weakness, fatigue
  • pain in the stomach or gut; nausea and/or vomiting
  • sexual problems

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

  • skin rash or itchiness
  • aching muscles or aching joints, not caused by exercise
  • muscle pain, weakness or paralysis of muscles
  • buzzing, ringing or other persistent noise in the ears
  • blurred vision, eye pain
  • changes in heart rhythm
  • you are not urinating (passing water) as much as normal
  • numbness or tingling in fingers or toes
  • painful, swollen joints which may be symptoms of gout
  • fainting
  • excessive thirst, passing greatly increased amounts of urine, increased appetite with weight loss, feeling tired, drowsy, weak, depressed, irritable and generally unwell (signs of diabetes)
  • passing little or no urine, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, breathlessness, loss of appetite and weakness (signs of kidney disease)
  • nausea, diarrhoea, muscle weakness and changes in heart rhythm (signs of high potassium levels in the blood)
  • nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling generally unwell, fever, itching, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) and dark coloured urine (signs of liver disease)
  • exacerbation of psoriasis
  • disturbances in your vision (such as blurred vision and seeing haloes around lights) and eye pain

The above list includes serious side effects that may need medical attention:

If any of the following occur, tell your doctor immediately or go to the Emergency department at your nearest hospital:

  • cough, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin; fainting, hay fever-like symptoms (signs of an allergic reaction)

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients.

Storage and Disposal

Storage

Keep your medicine in its original packaging until it is time to take it. If you take your medicine out of its original packaging it may not keep well.

Keep your medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature will stay below 25°C.

Do not store your medicine, or any other medicine, in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a windowsill or in the car. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep this medicine where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or they have passed their expiry date, your pharmacist can dispose of the remaining medicine safely.

Product description

What it looks like

150/12.5 mg tablets
Peach, oval, biconvex film-coated tablet debossed with "L183" on one side and plain on the other side.
AUST R 259572.

300/12.5 mg tablets
Peach, oval, biconvex film-coated tablet debossed with "L184" on one side and plain on the other side.
AUST R 259592

300/25 mg tablets
Pinkish brown, oval, biconvex film-coated tablet debossed with "L185" on one side and plain on the other side.
AUST R 259612

Available in blister packs of 30 tablets.

* Not all strengths may be available.

Ingredients

Each tablet contains either 150 mg or 300 mg of irbesartan and 12.5 mg or 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide as the active ingredients.

It also contains the following inactive ingredients:

  • lactose monohydrate
  • croscarmellose sodium
  • povidone
  • pigment blend PB-24899 (ARPING 107861 consisting of iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow and lactose)
  • magnesium stearate
  • 150/12.5 and 300/12.5 tablets also contain Opadry II complete film coating system 30F84418 pink (ARPING 107862 consisting of iron oxide yellow, iron oxide red, hypromellose, lactose, macrogol 4000 and titanium dioxide)
  • 300/25 tablets also contain Opadry II complete film coating system 30F86974 brown (ARPING 107863 consisting of iron oxide yellow, iron oxide red, iron oxide black, hypromellose, lactose, macrogol 4000 and titanium dioxide).

This medicine does not contain gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.

Contains sugars as lactose

Sponsor

Arrotex Pharmaceuticals Pty. Ltd
15-17 Chapel St
Cremorne VIC 3121

This leaflet was last updated in July 2023.

Published by MIMS September 2023

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Blooms the Chemist Irbesartan HCTZ

Active ingredient

Irbesartan; Hydrochlorothiazide

Schedule

S4

 

1 Name of Medicine

Irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide.

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Each tablet contains 150 mg or 300 mg irbesartan and 12.5 mg or 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide, as the active ingredients.

Excipients with known effect.

Sugars as lactose.
For the full list of excipients see Section 6.1 List of Excipients.

3 Pharmaceutical Form

150/12.5 mg tablets.

Peach, oval, biconvex film-coated tablet debossed with "L183" on one side and plain on the other side.

300/12.5 mg tablets.

Peach, oval, biconvex film-coated tablet debossed with "L184" on one side and plain on the other side.

300/25 mg tablets.

Pinkish brown, oval, biconvex film-coated tablet debossed with "L185" on one side and plain on the other side.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.1 Therapeutic Indications

Irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. Treatment should not be initiated with this fixed-dose combination.

4.2 Dose and Method of Administration

Blooms the Chemist Irbesartan HCTZ tablets are intended for oral administration.

Dosage.

Irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide should not be initiated as first-line therapy. The daily dose can be administered with or without food.

Replacement therapy.

The combination may be substituted for the titrated components at the same dose level.

Dose titration by clinical effect.

When clinically appropriate, direct change from monotherapy to the fixed combinations may be considered:
Irbesartan 150 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg may be administered to patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled with hydrochlorothiazide or irbesartan 150 mg alone.
Irbesartan 300 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg may be administered to patients insufficiently controlled by irbesartan 300 mg or by irbesartan 150 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg.
Irbesartan 300 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg may be administered to patients insufficiently controlled by irbesartan 300 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg.
Doses higher than irbesartan 300 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg once daily are not recommended. When necessary, irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide may be administered with another antihypertensive drug.

Patients with intravascular volume depletion.

In severely volume-depleted and/or sodium-depleted patients, such as those treated vigorously with diuretics, the condition should be corrected prior to administration of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide.

Elderly patients.

No dosage reduction is generally necessary for daily dosage of irbesartan 150 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg in the elderly.

Renal impairment.

No dosage reduction is generally necessary for daily dosage of irbesartan 150 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg in patients with mild-to-moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance > 30 mL/min).

Hepatic impairment.

No dosage reduction is thought to be necessary in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment as the pharmacokinetics of neither irbesartan nor hydrochlorothiazide are affected by hepatic impairment. Due to the hydrochlorothiazide component, irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide should be used with caution in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Use in hepatic impairment).

4.3 Contraindications

Patients who are hypersensitive to irbesartan, sulfonamide-derived drugs (e.g. thiazides) or to any other ingredient listed in Section 6.1 List of Excipients. In general, hypersensitivity reactions are more likely to occur in patients with a history of allergy or bronchial asthma.
Patients who are anuric.
Do not co-administer irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide with aliskiren-containing medicines in patients with diabetes or with moderate to severe renal impairment.
Do not co-administer irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide with ACE inhibitors in patients with diabetic nephropathy.
Pregnancy (see Section 4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation, Use in pregnancy).

4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use

Non-melanoma skin cancer.

An increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) [basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)] with increasing cumulative dose of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) exposure has been observed in two epidemiological studies based on Danish National Cancer Registry (see Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties). Photosensitizing actions of HCTZ could act as a possible mechanism for NMSC.
Patients taking HCTZ should be informed of the risk of NMSC and advised to regularly check their skin for any new lesions and promptly report any suspicious skin lesions.
Possible preventive measures such as limited exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) rays and, in case of exposure, adequate protection should be advised to the patients in order to minimise the risk of skin cancer. Suspicious skin lesions should be promptly examined potentially including histological examinations of biopsies. The use of HCTZ may also need to be reconsidered in patients who have experienced previous non-melanoma skin cancer (see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)).

Hypotension - volume-depleted patients.

Irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide has been rarely associated with hypotension in hypertensive patients without other risk factors for hypotension. Symptomatic hypotension may be expected to occur in patients who have been sodium and/or volume depleted by vigorous diuretic therapy and/or dietary salt restriction or vomiting and/or diarrhoea or haemodialysis. Volume and/or sodium-depletion should be corrected before initiating therapy with irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide. Thiazides may potentiate the action of other antihypertensive drugs (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions).

Use in renal impairment.

As a consequence of inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, changes in renal function during therapy with irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide may be anticipated in susceptible individuals. In patients whose renal function depends on the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (e.g. hypertensive patients with renal artery stenosis in one or both kidneys or patients with severe congestive heart failure), treatment with drugs that affect this system has been associated with oliguria and/or progressive azotaemia and (rarely) with acute renal failure and/or death. The possibility of a similar effect occurring with the use of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, including irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide cannot be excluded.
There is no experience in patients with a recent renal transplant.
Irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended for patients with severe renal disease (creatinine clearance ≤ 30 mL/min) (see Section 4.3 Contraindications - anuric patients). Hydrochlorothiazide-associated precipitation of azotemia may occur in patients with impaired renal function. As experience is limited in patients with a creatinine clearance > 30 and < 60 mL/min, irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide should be administered with caution to such patients.

Hyperkalaemia.

Concomitant use of irbesartan with potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium or other medicinal products which may increase the potassium level (e.g. trimethoprim containing medicines) may lead to an increase in serum potassium and should therefore be co-administered cautiously with irbesartan.

Dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS).

Dual blockade of the RAAS by combining irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide with an ACE inhibitor or with aliskiren is not recommended since there are increased risk of hypotension, hyperkalaemia and changes in renal function. The use of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide in combination with aliskiren is contraindicated in patient with diabetes mellitus or renal impairment (see Section 4.3 Contraindications).
The use of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide in combination with aliskiren is contraindicated in patients with diabetes mellitus or with moderate to severe renal impairment.
The use of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide in combination with an ACE inhibitor is contraindicated in patients with diabetic nephropathy (see Section 4.3 Contraindications; Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions).

Psoriasis.

The use of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide in patients with psoriasis or a history of psoriasis should be carefully weighed as it may exacerbate psoriasis.

Renal artery stenosis.

See comments under Use in renal impairment above.

Primary aldosteronism.

Patients with primary aldosteronism generally will not respond to antihypertensive medicines acting through inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system. Therefore the use of irbesartan/ hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended.

Postsympathectomy.

The antihypertensive effects of thiazide diuretics may be increased in the postsympathectomy patient.

Use in hepatic impairment.

Irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide should be used with caution in patients with impaired hepatic function or progressive liver disease, since minor alterations in fluid and electrolyte balance may precipitate hepatic coma.

Fluid and electrolyte imbalance.

Thiazides, including hydrochlorothiazide, can cause fluid or electrolyte imbalance (hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia and hypochloraemic alkalosis). Although hypokalaemia may develop when thiazide diuretics are used alone, especially with higher doses, concurrent therapy with irbesartan reduces the frequency of diuretic-induced hypokalaemia. Chloride deficit is generally mild and usually does not require treatment. Calcium excretion is decreased by thiazides which may cause intermittent and slight elevation of serum calcium. Marked hypercalcaemia suggests the possibility of hyperparathyroidism. Thiazides should be discontinued before carrying out tests for parathyroid function. Thiazides have been shown to increase the urinary excretion of magnesium, which may result in hypomagnesaemia.
Monitoring of laboratory parameters may be necessary in patients at risk of electrolyte imbalance.

Metabolic and endocrine effects.

Hyperuricaemia may occur, and an acute attack of gout may be precipitated in certain patients receiving thiazide therapy. Insulin requirements in diabetic patients may be increased and latent diabetes mellitus may become manifest during thiazide administration. Increases in cholesterol and triglyceride levels have been associated with thiazide diuretic therapy, however, minimal or no effects were reported at the 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide dose contained in irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide.
Monitoring of laboratory parameters may be necessary in patients at risk of metabolic disturbances.

Hypoglycaemia.

Irbesartan may induce hypoglycaemia, particularly in patients treated for diabetes. Therefore, dose adjustment of antidiabetic treatment such as repaglinide or insulin may be required (see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)).

Systemic lupus erythematosus.

Exacerbation or activation of systemic lupus erythematosus has been reported with the use of thiazide diuretics.

Acute respiratory toxicity.

Severe cases of acute respiratory toxicity, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have been reported after taking hydrochlorothiazide. Pulmonary oedema typically develops within minutes to hours after hydrochlorothiazide intake. At the onset, symptoms include dyspnoea, fever, pulmonary deterioration and hypotension. If diagnosis of ARDS is suspected, irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide tablets should be withdrawn and appropriate treatment should be given.
Hydrochlorothiazide must not be administered to patients who previously experienced ARDS following intake of hydrochlorothiazide or another thiazide diuretic.

Choroidal effusion, secondary acute angle-closure glaucoma and/or acute myopia.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a sulfonamide. Sulfonamide or sulfonamide derivative drugs can cause an idiosyncratic reaction, which may result in choroidal effusion with visual field defect, secondary acute angle-closure glaucoma and/or acute myopia. Isolated cases of acute angle-closure glaucoma without definite causal association have been reported with hydrochlorothiazide. Symptoms include acute onset of decreased visual acuity or ocular pain and typically occur within hours to weeks of drug initiation. Untreated acute angle-closure glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. The primary treatment is to discontinue drug intake as rapidly as possible. Prompt medical or surgical treatments may need to be considered if the intraocular pressure remains uncontrolled. Risk factors for developing acute angle-closure glaucoma may include a history of sulfonamide or penicillin allergy (see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)).

Photosensitivity.

Photosensitivity reactions have been reported with the use of thiazide diuretics.
If the photosensitivity reactions occur during treatment with hydrochlorothiazide drugs, treatment should be stopped.

Heart failure.

The safety of irbesartan in the presence of heart failure has not been fully defined. Sudden death has occurred in some studies of patients with heart failure and although such deaths may have reflected the natural history of the underlying heart failure, caution is recommended when treating such patients with irbesartan.

Cardiac arrhythmia.

At this time, experience is limited with irbesartan in the treatment of patients with ventricular dysfunction or cardiac arrhythmias; caution is advised.

Use in renal impairment.

See comments under Use in renal impairment, above.

Paediatric use.

Safety and effectiveness in paediatric patients have not been established.

Use in the elderly.

Among patients who received irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide in clinical studies, no overall differences in efficacy or safety were observed between older patients (65 years or older) and younger patients.

Effects on laboratory tests.

In pre-marketing controlled clinical trials, clinically important changes in standard laboratory parameters were rarely associated with administration of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide tablets.

Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen.

Minor increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or serum creatinine were observed in 2.3% and 1.1%, respectively, of patients with essential hypertension treated with irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide alone. No patient discontinued taking irbesartan/ hydrochlorothiazide due to increased BUN. One patient discontinued taking irbesartan/ hydrochlorothiazide due to a minor increase in creatinine.

Haemoglobin.

Mean decreases of approximately 0.2 g/dL occurred in patients treated with irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide alone, but were rarely of clinical importance. This compared to a mean of 0.4 g/dL in patients receiving placebo. No patients were discontinued due to anaemia.

Liver function tests.

Occasional elevations of liver enzymes and/or serum bilirubin have occurred. In patients with essential hypertension treated with irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide alone, one patient was discontinued due to elevated liver enzymes.

Serum electrolytes.

In double-blind clinical trials of various doses of irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide, the incidence of hypertensive patients who developed hypokalaemia (serum potassium < 3.5 mmol/L) was 7.5% versus 6.0% for placebo; the incidence of hyperkalaemia (serum potassium > 5.7 mmol/L) was < 1.0% versus 1.7% for placebo. No patient discontinued due to increases or decreases in serum potassium. Overall, the combination of irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide had no effect on serum potassium. Higher doses of irbesartan ameliorated the hypokalaemic response to hydrochlorothiazide (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Fluid and electrolyte imbalance).

4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions

Based on in vitro data, no interactions with irbesartan would be expected to occur with drugs whose metabolism is dependent upon cytochrome P450 isoenzymes CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 or CYP3A4. Irbesartan is primarily metabolized by CYP2C9, however, during clinical interaction studies, no significant pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions were observed when irbesartan was co-administered with warfarin (a drug metabolized by CYP2C9).
Irbesartan does not affect the pharmacokinetics of digoxin or simvastatin. The pharmacokinetics of irbesartan are not affected by co-administration with nifedipine or hydrochlorothiazide.
Based on experience with the use of other drugs that affect the renin-angiotensin system, concomitant use of potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium or other medicinal products that may increase potassium (e.g. trimethoprim containing medicines) with irbesartan may lead to increases in serum potassium, sometimes severe, and requires close monitoring of serum potassium. Concurrent therapy with hydrochlorothiazide may reduce the frequency of this effect.

Alcohol, barbiturates or narcotics.

Potentiation of thiazide diuretic-induced orthostatic hypotension may occur.

Antidiabetic drugs (oral agents and insulin).

Thiazides may elevate blood glucose levels thus, dosage adjustments of antidiabetic agents may be necessary.

Antigout medication.

Dosage adjustments of antigout medication may be needed since hydrochlorothiazide may raise the blood level of uric acid.

Cardiac glycosides (e.g. digoxin) and other antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g. sotalol).

Diuretic-induced hypokalaemia may accentuate cardiac arrhythmias.

Calcium salts.

Thiazide diuretics may increase serum calcium levels due to decreased excretion. If calcium or a calcium sparing drug (e.g. Vitamin D therapy) is prescribed, serum calcium levels should be monitored and calcium dosage adjusted accordingly.

Cholestyramine resin and colestipol HCl.

May delay or decrease absorption of hydrochlorothiazide. Irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide should be taken at least one hour before or four hours after these medications.

Lithium.

Diuretic agents reduce the renal clearance of lithium and increase the risk of lithium toxicity. Increases in serum lithium concentrations and lithium toxicity have been reported with concomitant use of irbesartan. Co-administration with irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide should be approached with caution and frequent monitoring of serum lithium levels is recommended.

Inhibitors of endogenous prostaglandin synthesis (i.e. NSAIDs).

In some patients, these agents can reduce the effects of thiazide diuretics.

Other diuretics and antihypertensive medications.

The thiazide component may potentiate the actions of other antihypertensive drugs, especially ganglionic or peripheral adrenergic-blocking drugs. Hydrochlorothiazide may interact with diazoxide; blood glucose, serum uric acid levels and blood pressure should be monitored.

Combination use of ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists, anti-inflammatory drugs and thiazide diuretics.

Concomitant use of a renin-angiotensin system inhibiting drug (ACE-inhibitor or angiotensin receptor antagonist) and an anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID, including COX-2 inhibitor) alone or with a thiazide diuretic may increase the risk of renal impairment, including possible acute renal failure. These effects are usually reversible. This includes use in fixed-combination products containing more than one class of drug. The combination of these agents should be administered with caution, especially in the elderly, volume-depleted and in patients with pre-existing renal impairment. Renal function (serum creatinine) should be monitored after initiation of concomitant therapy and periodically thereafter. The antihypertensive effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonists, including irbesartan, may be attenuated by NSAIDs including selective COX-2 inhibitors.
The use of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide in combination with an ACE inhibitor is contraindicated in patients with diabetic nephropathy (see Section 4.3 Contraindications; Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions).

Renin inhibitor.

The combination of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide with aliskiren-containing medicines is contraindicated in patients with diabetes mellitus or moderate to severe renal impairment and is not recommended in other patients (see Section 4.3 Contraindications).

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors).

The use of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide in combination with an ACE inhibitor is contraindicated in patients with diabetic nephropathy and is not recommended in other patients.

Repaglinide.

Irbesartan has the potential to inhibit OATP1B1. In a clinical study, it was reported that irbesartan increased the Cmax and AUC of repaglinide (substrate of OATP1B1) by 1.8-fold and 1.3-fold, respectively, when administered 1 hour before repaglinide. In another study, no relevant pharmacokinetic interaction was reported when the two drugs were co-administered. Therefore, dose adjustment of antidiabetic treatment such as repaglinide may be required (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

Drugs used during surgery.

The effects of non-depolarizing muscle relaxants (e.g. tubocurarine), pre-anaesthetics and anaesthetics used in surgery may be potentiated by hydrochlorothiazide; dosage adjustments may be required. Pre-anaesthetic and anaesthetic agents should be given in reduced dosage, and if possible, hydrochlorothiazide therapy discontinued one week prior to surgery.

Carbamazepine.

Concomitant use of carbamazepine and hydrochlorothiazide has been associated with the risk of symptomatic hyponatraemia. Electrolytes should be monitored during concomitant use. If possible, another class of diuretics should be used.

Pressor amines (e.g. noradrenaline).

Due to the thiazide component there is a possible decreased response to pressor amines but not sufficient to preclude their use.

Corticosteroids, ACTH.

Intensified electrolyte depletion, particularly hypokalemia can occur with thiazide use.

Other interactions.

The hypoglycaemic effect of beta-blockers and diazoxide may be enhanced by thiazides. Anticholinergic agents (e.g. atropine) may increase the bioavailability of thiazide-type diuretics by decreasing gastrointestinal motility and stomach emptying rate. Thiazides may increase the risk of adverse effects caused by amantadine. Thiazides may reduce the renal excretion of cytotoxic drugs (e.g. cyclophosphamide, methotrexate) and potentiate their myelosuppressive effects.

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation

Effects on fertility.

The effects of hydrochlorothiazide and the irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination on fertility have not been evaluated in animal studies. However, with irbesartan alone, fertility and reproductive performance were not affected in studies of male and female rats at oral doses up to 650 mg/kg/day (approximately 3 [male] and 8 [female] fold higher exposure based on AUC, than that of humans at the maximum recommended clinical dose of 300 mg/day).
(Category D)
Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause foetal and neonatal morbidity and death when administered to pregnant women. Several dozen cases have been reported in the world literature in patients who were taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. When pregnancy is detected, irbesartan hydrochlorothiazide should be discontinued as soon as possible.
The use of drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy have been associated with foetal and neonatal injury, including hypotension, neonatal skull hypoplasia, anuria, reversible or irreversible renal failure and death. Oligohydramnios has also been reported, presumably resulting from decreased foetal renal function; oligohydramnios in this setting has been associated with foetal limb contractures, craniofacial deformation and hypoplastic lung development. Prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation and patent ductus arteriosus have also been reported, although it is not clear whether these occurrences were due to exposure to the drug.
These adverse effects do not appear to have resulted from intrauterine drug exposure that has been limited to the first trimester. Mothers whose embryos and foetuses are exposed to an angiotensin II receptor antagonist only during the first trimester should be so informed. Nonetheless, when patients become pregnant, physicians should have the patient discontinue the use of irbesartan hydrochlorothiazide as soon as possible.
Infants with histories of in utero exposure to an angiotensin II receptor antagonist should be closely observed for hypotension, oliguria and hyperkalaemia.
Thiazides cross the placental barrier and appear in cord blood. The routine use of diuretics in otherwise healthy pregnant women is not recommended and exposes mother and foetus to unnecessary hazard, including foetal or neonatal jaundice, thrombocytopenia and possibly other adverse reactions which have occurred in the adult.
No teratogenic effects were seen in rats given irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide in combination at doses as high as 150/150 mg/kg/day. When pregnant rats were treated with irbesartan alone from day 0 to day 20 of gestation, at doses of 50 mg/kg/day and higher, transient effects (increased renal pelvic cavitation, hydroureter or subcutaneous oedema) were noted in full term rat foetuses but not in young animals necropsied after six weeks of age. In pregnant rabbits, at doses of 30 mg/kg/day, maternal mortality, abortion and early foetal resorptions were noted. No teratogenic effects were observed in the rat or the rabbit.
Irbesartan is excreted in the milk of lactating rats. It is not known whether irbesartan or its metabolites are excreted in human milk. Hydrochlorothiazide is excreted in human breast milk. Thiazides in high doses causing intense diuresis can inhibit the milk production. The use of irbesartan/ hydrochlorothiazide during breastfeeding is not recommended.
Because of the potential risk to the infant, a decision should be made whether to discontinue breast feeding or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of irbesartan/ hydrochlorothiazide to the therapy of the mother.

4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

The effects of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide on the ability to drive motor vehicles or operate machinery have not been specifically studied, but based on its pharmacodynamic properties. Irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide is unlikely to affect this ability. When driving vehicles or operating machinery, it should be taken into account that occasionally dizziness may occur during treatment of hypertension.

4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)

The combination of irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide has been evaluated for safety in approximately 2,750 subjects in clinical studies, including 1,540 hypertensive patients treated for over 6 months and over 960 patients treated for one year or more. Adverse events in patients receiving irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide were generally mild and transient with no relationship to dose. The incidence of adverse events was not related to age, gender or race.
In placebo-controlled clinical studies, including 898 irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide-treated patients (usual duration of treatment 2 to 3 months), discontinuations due to any clinical or laboratory adverse event were 3.6 percent for irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide-treated patients and 6.8 percent for placebo-treated patients (p = 0.023).
Adverse events occurring in at least 1% of patients treated with irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide, in placebo controlled trials are shown in Table 1. The incidences of the same adverse events in the placebo, irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide control groups are also shown.
Adverse reactions (clinical events probably or possibly related to therapy as determined by the clinical investigator) that occurred in more than 2 hypertensive patients when they were taking irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide and no additional study medications in premarketing clinical trials involving 2,700 subjects and that were not reported in the above tabulation of adverse events, are listed in the following section.
These adverse reactions have been classified using standard terminology and are categorized by body system. They are listed in order of decreasing frequency according to the following definitions:
Common: those adverse reactions occurring on one or more occasions in at least 1/100 but less than 1/10 patients;
Uncommon: adverse reactions occurring in at least 1/1000 but less than 1/100 patients; and;
Rare: those adverse reactions occurring in less than 1/1000 patients.

Cardiovascular.

Uncommon: bradycardia; disturbance of cardiac rhythm; subjective disturbance of cardiac rhythm; disturbance of ventricular rhythm; ECG abnormality; flushing; hypotension; orthostatic hypotension; syncope.

Dermatological.

Uncommon: pruritus; skin discomfort.

Endocrine/metabolic.

Common: sexual dysfunction.
Uncommon: diabetes; gout; hot flashes; libido changes.

Gastrointestinal.

Uncommon: constipation; decreased appetite; abdominal distention; dry mouth; epigastric pain; flatulence; gastroesophageal reflux.

General.

Uncommon: cold sensation; hyperhidrosis; malaise; weakness; weight gain.

Musculoskeletal/connective tissue.

Uncommon: abnormal reflexes; muscle ache; myalgia; extremity swelling; extremity weakness.
Common: significant increase in blood creatine phosphokinase.

Nervous system.

Uncommon: coordination disturbance; depression; emotional lability/disturbance; numbness; paresthesia; sleep disturbance; somnolence; vertigo.

Respiratory.

Uncommon: dry nasopharynx; dyspnoea; wheezing.

Special senses.

Uncommon: abnormal hearing; taste disturbance; vision disturbance.
Other clinical adverse reactions reported with the use of irbesartan or hydrochlorothiazide alone include:

Cardiovascular.

Subjective rhythm disturbance, flushing, ECG abnormality, cardiac murmur, cardiac rhythm disturbance, orthostatic hypotension, atrial rhythm disturbance, conduction disorder, myocardial infarction.

Dermatological.

Facial erythema, dermatitis, acne, scalp-hair abnormality.

Endocrine/metabolic/electrolyte imbalance.

Breast disorder, hyperglycaemia, glycosuria, hyperuricaemia, electrolyte imbalance (including hyponatraemia and hypokalaemia).

Gastrointestinal.

Abnormal stool, increased appetite, oral lesion, dysphagia, oesophagitis, anorexia, gastric irritation, jaundice (intrahepatic cholestatic jaundice), pancreatitis, sialadenitis, xanthopsia.

General.

Weakness, weight gain, warmth sensation, pain.

Haematopoietic.

Leucopenia, neutropenia/agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, anaemia, aplastic anaemia, haemolytic anaemia.

Immunology/sensitivity disorder.

Upper extremity oedema, head/neck oedema, photosensitivity reactions, fever, urticaria, necrotizing angiitis (vasculitis, cutaneous vasculitis), respiratory distress (including pneumonitis and pulmonary oedema), anaphylactic reactions, toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Musculoskeletal/connective tissue.

Arthritis, stiffness lower extremity, muscle spasm, weakness.

Nervous system.

Stress related disorder, tremor, disturbing dreams, restlessness.

Renal/genitourinary.

Urination abnormality, renal dysfunction, interstitial nephritis.

Respiratory.

Epistaxis.

Special senses.

Eye disturbance - other, eyelid abnormality, visual field abnormality, medication bad taste, eye disorders (transient blurred vision, secondary angle-closure glaucoma and/or acute myopia) (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

Post-marketing experience.

As with other angiotensin-II receptor antagonists, hypersensitivity reactions (urticaria, angioedema, anaphylactic reactions including anaphylactic shock) have been reported. The following have also been reported during post-marketing surveillance: vertigo, asthenia, hyperkalaemia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia (including thrombocytopenic purpura), myalgia, jaundice, elevated liver function tests, hepatitis, arthralgia, tinnitus, psoriasis (and psoriasis exacerbation) (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use), photosensitivity, choroidal effusion, impaired renal function including cases of renal failure in patients at risk, and hypoglycaemia (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Rare cases of rhabdomyolysis have been reported in patients receiving angiotensin II receptor blockers.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Frequency 'not known': non-melanoma skin cancer* (Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma).
*Non-melanoma skin cancer: Based on available data from epidemiological studies, cumulative dose-dependent association between HCTZ and NMSC has been observed (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use; Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Clinical trials).

Reporting suspected adverse effects.

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit-risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions at http://www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems and contact Apotex Medical Information Enquiries/Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting on 1800 195 055.

4.9 Overdose

Experience in adults exposed to irbesartan doses of up to 900 mg/day for 8 weeks revealed no toxicity. No specific information is available on the treatment of overdosage with irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide. The patient should be closely monitored and the treatment should be symptomatic and supportive, including fluid and electrolyte replacement. Irbesartan is not removed from the body by haemodialysis.
The most common signs and symptoms observed in adults exposed to hydrochlorothiazide are those caused by electrolyte depletion (hypokalaemia, hypochloraemia, hyponatraemia) and dehydration resulting from excessive diuresis. If a cardiac glycoside (e.g. digoxin) or other antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g. sotalol) has also been administered, hypokalaemia may accentuate cardiac arrhythmias. The degree to which hydrochlorothiazide is removed by haemodialysis has not been established.
For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 131126 (Australia).

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties

Mechanism of action.

Irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide is an oral antihypertensive agent combining a nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor (AT1 subtype) antagonist, irbesartan, and a thiazide diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide.
Irbesartan is a specific antagonist of angiotensin II receptors (AT1 subtype). Angiotensin II is an important component of the renin-angiotensin system and is involved in the pathophysiology of hypertension and in sodium homeostasis. Irbesartan does not require metabolic activation for its activity.
Irbesartan blocks the potent vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II by selective antagonism of the angiotensin II (AT1 subtype) receptors localized on vascular smooth muscle cells and in the adrenal cortex. It has no agonist activity at the AT1 receptor and a much greater affinity (more than 8500-fold) for the AT1 receptor than for the AT2 receptor (a receptor that has not been shown to be associated with cardiovascular homeostasis).
Irbesartan does not inhibit enzymes involved in the renin-angiotensin system (i.e. renin, angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE]) or affect other hormone receptors or ion channels involved in the cardiovascular regulation of blood pressure and sodium homeostasis.
Hydrochlorothiazide is a benzothiadiazine (thiazide) diuretic with diuretic, natriuretic and antihypertensive effects. The mechanism of antihypertensive effect of thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide is not fully known. Thiazides affect the renal tubular mechanism of electrolyte reabsorption, increasing excretion of sodium and chloride in approximately equivalent amounts. Natriuresis causes a secondary loss of potassium and bicarbonate. Hydrochlorothiazide increases plasma renin activity, increases aldosterone secretion and decreases serum potassium. Co-administration of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist tends to reverse the potassium loss associated with thiazide diuretics.

Clinical trials.

Based on data from placebo-controlled clinical trials, the following effects were noted. The blood pressure lowering effect of irbesartan in combination with hydrochlorothiazide was apparent after the first dose and substantially present within 1-2 weeks, with the maximal effect occurring by 6-8 weeks. In long-term follow-up studies, the blood pressure lowering effect of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide with dose-to-response addition of adjunctive therapy was maintained for over one year.
The combination of hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan produced dose-related additive reductions in blood pressure across their therapeutic dose ranges. The addition of 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide to 300 mg irbesartan once daily in patients not adequately controlled on 300 mg irbesartan alone resulted in further placebo-corrected diastolic blood pressure reductions at trough (24 hours post dosing) of 6.1 mmHg. The combination of 300 mg irbesartan and 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide resulted in an overall placebo-subtracted systolic/diastolic reductions of up to 13.6/11.5 mmHg.
Limited clinical data (7 out of 22 patients) suggest that patients not controlled with the 300/12.5 mg combination may respond when uptitrated to 300/25 mg. In these patients, an incremental blood pressure lowering effect was observed for both SBP and DBP (13.3 and 8.3 mmHg, respectively).
Once daily dosing with 150 mg irbesartan and 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide showed systolic/diastolic mean placebo-adjusted blood pressure reductions at trough (24 hours post-dosing) of 12.9/6.9 mmHg. Peak effects occurred at 3-6 hours.
When assessed by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide 150/12.5 mg once daily produced consistent reduction in blood pressure over the 24 hours period with a mean 24-hour placebo-subtracted systolic/diastolic reductions of 15.8/10.0 mmHg. The observed trough-to-peak effects were at least 68% of the corresponding placebo-subtracted peak diastolic and peak systolic responses.
In a clinical trial with patients not adequately controlled on 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide alone after 4 weeks' treatment, the addition of irbesartan (with dose-to-response uptitration from 75 mg to 150 mg at 6 weeks) produced mean systolic/diastolic reductions at 12 weeks which were 11.1/7.2 mmHg greater than hydrochlorothiazide alone.
Blood pressure was lowered to about the same extent in both standing and supine positions. Orthostatic effects were infrequent, but may be expected to occur in patients who develop intercurrent sodium and/or volume-depletion.
The effect of the combination of irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide on morbidity and mortality has not been studied. Epidemiological studies have shown that long term treatment with hydrochlorothiazide reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.
The effectiveness of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide was not influenced by age, race or gender. The overall antihypertensive response to the combination was similar for black and non-black patients.
After withdrawal of irbesartan, blood pressure gradually returned toward baseline. Rebound hypertension was not observed with irbesartan or hydrochlorothiazide.
With hydrochlorothiazide, onset of diuresis occurred in 2 hours and peak effect occurred at about 4 hours, while the action persisted for approximately 6-12 hours.

Non-melanoma skin cancer.

Based on available data from epidemiological studies, cumulative dose-dependent association between HCTZ and non-melanoma skin cancer has been observed. One study included a population comprised of 71,553 cases of BCC and of 8,629 cases of SCC matched to 1,430,883 and 172,462 population controls, respectively. High HCTZ use (≥ 50,000 mg cumulative) was associated with an adjusted OR of 1.29 (95% CI: 1.23-1.35) for BCC and 3.98 (95% CI: 3.68-4.31) for SCC. A clear cumulative dose-response relationship was observed for both BCC and SCC. Another study showed a possible association between risk of lip cancer (SCC) and exposure to HCTZ: 633 cases of lip cancer were matched with 63,067 population controls, using a risk-set sampling strategy. A clear cumulative dose-response relationship was demonstrated with an adjusted OR 2.1 (95% CI: 1.7-2.6) for ever-use, OR 3.9 (3.0-4.9) for high use (at least 25,000 mg) and OR 7.7 (5.7-10.5) for the highest cumulative dose (at least 100,000 mg) (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties

Concomitant administration of hydrochlorothiazide and irbesartan has no effect on the pharmacokinetics of either drug.

Absorption.

The oral bioavailabilities of irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide measured after administration are similar to the bioavailabilities of irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide administered as separate entities. The absolute oral bioavailability for irbesartan has previously been shown to be 60-80% whilst the absolute oral bioavailability for hydrochlorothiazide is documented as 50-80%.
Food does not affect the bioavailability of irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide. Peak plasma concentrations occur 1.5-2 hours after oral administration for irbesartan and 1-2.5 hours for hydrochlorothiazide.

Distribution.

Irbesartan is 90% protein-bound in the plasma and has negligible binding to cellular components of blood. The volume of distribution is 53-93 litres (0.72-1.24 litres/kg). Hydrochlorothiazide is 68% protein-bound in the plasma and its apparent volume of distribution is 0.83-1.141 litres/kg.

Metabolism.

In plasma, unchanged irbesartan accounts for more than 80% of the circulating radioactivity following oral or intravenous administration of 14C-irbesartan. Irbesartan is metabolized by the liver via glucuronide conjugation and oxidation. The major circulating metabolite is irbesartan glucuronide (~6%). Irbesartan undergoes oxidation primarily by the cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP2C9; isoenzyme CYP3A4 has negligible effect. It is not metabolized by, nor does it substantially induce or inhibit, most isoenzymes commonly associated with drug metabolism (i.e. CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2D6 or CYP2E1). Irbesartan does not induce nor inhibit isoenzyme CYP3A4.
Hydrochlorothiazide is not metabolized.

Excretion.

Irbesartan and its metabolites are excreted by both biliary and renal routes. About 20% of the administered radioactivity after an oral or intravenous dose of 14C-irbesartan is recovered in urine with the remainder in the faeces. Less than 2% of the dose is excreted in urine as unchanged irbesartan.
The terminal elimination half-life (t1/2) of irbesartan from plasma is 11-15 hours. The total body clearance of intravenously administered irbesartan is 157-176 mL/min, of which 3.0-3.5 mL/min is renal clearance. Irbesartan exhibits linear pharmacokinetics over the therapeutic dose range. Steady-state plasma concentrations are attained within 3 days after initiation of a once-daily dosing regimen. Limited accumulation (< 20%) is observed in plasma upon repeated once-daily dosing.
Hydrochlorothiazide is eliminated by the kidneys. The mean plasma half-life (t1/2) of hydrochlorothiazide from plasma reportedly ranges from 5-15 hours.

Special populations.

In male and female hypertensive subjects, higher (11-44%) plasma concentrations of irbesartan were observed in females than in males, although, following multiple dosing, males and females did not show differences in either accumulation or elimination half-life. No gender-specific differences in clinical effect have been observed.
In elderly (male and female) normotensive subjects (65-80 years) with clinically normal renal and hepatic function, the plasma AUC and peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of irbesartan are approximately 20%-50% greater than those observed in younger subjects (18-40 years). Regardless of age, the elimination half-life is comparable. No significant age-related differences in clinical effect have been observed. The area under the plasma concentration time curve (AUC) for hydrochlorothiazide was elevated in the elderly group following multiple dosing consistent with previously published data.
In black and white normotensive subjects, the plasma AUC and t1/2 of irbesartan are approximately 20-25% greater in blacks than in whites; the peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) of irbesartan are essentially equivalent.
In patients with renal impairment (regardless of degree) and in haemodialysis patients, the pharmacokinetics of irbesartan are not significantly altered. Irbesartan is not removed by haemodialysis. In patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 20 mL/min), the elimination half-life of hydrochlorothiazide was reported to increase to 21 hours.
In patients with hepatic insufficiency due to mild to moderate cirrhosis, the pharmacokinetics of irbesartan are not significantly altered.

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity.

Irbesartan and the irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination were not genotoxic in a series of assays for gene-mutagenic activity in bacterial and mammalian cells, and for clastogenic effects in vitro and in vivo. Hydrochlorothiazide alone was not genotoxic in a gene-mutation assay in bacterial cells or in tests for clastogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. However, positive results were obtained in a mammalian cell assay for gene mutation (mouse lymphoma cell assay), and in two other tests (sister chromatid exchange assay in Chinese hamster ovary cells and non-disjunction assay in Aspergillus nidulans).

Carcinogenicity.

The carcinogenic potential of irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide in combination has not been evaluated in animal studies. However, the carcinogenic potential of irbesartan was assessed in two 104 week studies in mice and rats. No carcinogenic potential was observed in either species at doses of up to 500 mg/kg/day (male rats) and 1000 mg/kg/day (mice and female rats). The AUC based exposure levels were 3-6 fold higher in mice, 3 fold higher in male rats and 25 fold higher in female rats than that of humans at the maximum recommended clinical dose of 300 mg/day. With hydrochlorothiazide two-year feeding studies in mice and rats uncovered no evidence of carcinogenic potential in female mice at doses up to approximately 600 mg/kg/day or in male and female rats at doses up to approximately 100 mg/kg/day. The studies, however, uncovered equivocal evidence for hepatocarcinogenicity in male mice treated with hydrochlorothiazide at approximately 600 mg/kg/day.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.1 List of Excipients

Lactose monohydrate, croscarmellose sodium, povidone, Pigment Blend PB-24899 pink, magnesium stearate, Opadry II complete film coating system 30F84418 pink (150/12.5 mg and 300/12.5 mg tablets), Opadry II complete film coating system 30F86974 brown (300/25 mg tablets).

6.2 Incompatibilities

Incompatibilities were either not assessed or not identified as part of the registration of this medicine.

6.3 Shelf Life

In Australia, information on the shelf life can be found on the public summary of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The expiry date can be found on the packaging.

6.4 Special Precautions for Storage

Store below 25°C. Store in original container.

6.5 Nature and Contents of Container

Blooms the Chemist Irbesartan HCTZ tablets.

150/12.5 mg tablets.

Blister pack (PVC/PVdC/Al) of 30 tablets: AUST R 259572.

300/12.5 mg tablets.

Blister pack (PVC/PVdC/Al) of 30 tablets: AUST R 259592.

300/25 mg tablets.

Blister pack (PVC/PVdC/Al) of 30 tablets: AUST R 259612.
Not all strengths may be available.

6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal

In Australia, any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of by taking to your local pharmacy.

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Irbesartan is a white to off-white crystalline powder. It is a relatively non-polar compound with a partition coefficient (octanol-water) of 10.1 at a pH of 7.4. Irbesartan is slightly soluble in alcohol and methylene chloride and practically insoluble in water.
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is a white crystalline powder. It is slightly soluble in water but freely soluble in sodium hydroxide solution.

Chemical structure.

Irbesartan.


Chemical name: 2-butyl-3-[(2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl) biphenyl-4-yl) methyl]-1,3-diazaspiro [4,4] non-1-en-4-one.
Molecular formula: C25H28N6O.
Molecular weight: 428.53.

CAS number.

138402-11-6.

Chemical structure.

Hydrochlorothiazide.


Chemical name: 6-chloro-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-7-sulfonamide 1,1-dioxide.
Molecular formula: C7H8ClN3O4S2.
Molecular weight: 297.73.

CAS number.

58-93-5.

7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)

S4 - Prescription Only Medicine.

Summary Table of Changes