Why is this medicine prescribed?
Indapamide is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and fluid retention (swelling caused by body fluid pooling in certain tissues) that can happen with heart failure(HF; a condition where the heart muscle weakens and cannot blood as well). Indapamide is in a class of medications called diuretics ("water pills"). It works by causing the kidneys to get rid of unneeded salt and water from the body into the urine.
Untreated high blood pressure can damage the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys and other parts of the body. This damage may cause heart disease, a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems. Along with medication, making the following changes will also help to control your blood pressure: eating a diet low in fat and salt, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising at least 30 minutes most days, not smoking, and using alcohol in moderation.
Are there other uses for this medicine?
Indapamide also is used to treat swelling and fluid retention caused by various medical conditions other than heart disease. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medicine for your condition.
How should this medicine be used?
Indapamide comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Take with or without food once daily in the morning. Take indapamide at around the same time every day.
Take indapamide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Indapamide controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Continue to take indapamide even if you feel well. Do not stop taking indapamide without talking to your doctor.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking indapamide,
- tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
- some medications should not be taken with indapamide. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with indapamide. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting indapamide with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking indapamide, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart rhythm problems, diabetes, gout, or kidney, liver, thyroid, or parathyroid disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine. If you become pregnant while taking indapamide, call your doctor.
- you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking indapamide.
- remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Follow your doctor's directions. They may include a daily exercise program and a low-sodium or low-salt diet, potassium supplements, and increased amounts of potassium-rich foods (e.g., bananas, prunes, raisins, and orange juice) in your diet.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What should I do in case of overdose?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help . If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
What side effects can this medicine cause?
Frequent urination may last for up to 6 hours after a dose and should decrease after you take indapamide for a few weeks. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headaches
- drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, weakness, confusion
- muscle cramps or spasms or numbness in fingers or toes
- nervousness, tension, irritability
- frequent urination
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- rapid, excessive weight loss
- severe skin rash with itching
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- feeling of racing heart or irregular beat, lightheadedness
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly, and blood tests should be done occasionally.
Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.