Common use

Indapamide is a thiazide-like diuretic which contains an active substance benzamide-sulfonamide-indole (Indapamide). By its pharmacological properties it is similar to thiazide diuretics (changes of Na+ re-absorption in the vertical segment of the loop of Henle). Indapamide increases excretion of Na+, Cl-, K+, and Mg2+ with urine. It is used to treat hypertension either alone or in combination with other high blood pressure medications. Long treatment with Indapamide is required, a therapeutic effect observed after 1-2 weeks of use, maximum is reached in 8-12 weeks and keeps up to 8 weeks.



Dosage and direction

Take Indapamide once a day in mornings before breakfast with or without food. The usual initial dose is 1.25 mg taken as a single daily dose. It may be increased up to 5 mg.



Precautions

Indapamide and other diuretics stimulate excretion of slats and potassium with urine which may lead to considerable loss of the substances especially among elderly women. Hypopotasse signs are muscle weakness and rapid or irregular heartbeat. For compensation of the potassium loss, you may be recommended to eat potassium-rich foods or taking a potassium supplement. Risk of hypopotassemia increases when larger doses are used, in the patients with cirrhosis, and in those treated by corticosteroids or ACTH. Blood pressure, K+ serum, and creatinine tests should be done regularly, especially in the individuals with an irregular heartbeat or those on heart medications. Systematic control of blood K+, Na+, Mg2+, pH, glucose uric acid and residual nitrogen is required especially in patients with gout or high uric acid levels, liver disease, diabetes, or lupus erythematosus, kidney dysfunction.



Contraindications

Indapamide cannot be administered in patients with hypersensitivity to its components, severe liver or kidney failure (anuria), hypopotassemia. High doses of Indapamide cannot be used to treat edematous syndrome in the patients with cerebrovascular accident and decompensated diabetes with ketoacidosis. Indapamide cannot be used in individuals with lactose intolerance, galactosemia, a syndrome of glucose malabsorption for the medication which contain lactose. Cautiousness should be exercised in individuals with impairments of water-electrolyte balance, moderate liver or kidney failure, ascites, coronary artery disease, heart failure, hyperuricemia (gout), hyperparathyroidism, pregnant or breastfeeding women in elderly or adolescents under 18 years of age.



Possible side effect

Frequency of side effects depends on the dose of Indapamide. They may appear as agitation, anxiety, dizziness, headache, back pain, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dry mouth, infection, irritability, muscle cramps or spasms, numbness in hands and feet, nervousness, nasal inflammation, pain, tension, fatigue, weakness, loss of energy or tiredness.



Drug interaction

Indapamide may cause hypopotasseimia and hypomagnesemia. Fatal arrhythmias may develop in patients on digoxin (Lanoxin) due to toxicity. Cardiac arrhythmias are also caused by use of amiodarone (Cordarone) and indapamide. Elimination of lithium by kidneys decreases in patients treated by diuretics and hereby leads to increase of lithium toxicity.



Missed dose

Never take a double dose of this medication. If it is almost time of the next dose just skip the missed portion and continue to take the medicine according to the schedule.



Overdose

You need immediate medical attention in case of Indapamide overdose which may express through such symptoms as electrolyte imbalance, nausea, stomach disorders, vomiting, weakness.



Storage

Tablets of Indapamide should be stored at room temperature between 15-30 C (59-86 F).



Disclaimer

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