Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about taking this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I taking Avapro?
Avapro contains the active ingredient irbesartan. Avapro is used to treat high blood
pressure and is also used in the treatment of kidney disease in patients with high
blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. For more information, see Section
1. Why am I taking Avapro? in the full CMI.
2. What should I know before I take Avapro?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Avapro or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. For more information, see Section
2. What should I know before I take Avapro? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I take Avapro?
Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take each day. The standard dose is
one 150 mg tablet per day. This dose may be increased to a 300 mg once per day.
Swallow the table whole with a glass of water and take Avapro at about the same time
each day.
5. What should I know while taking Avapro?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor or dentist you visit that you are taking Avapro.
If you become pregnant or plan to breastfeed while taking Avapro tell your doctor
immediately
If you are to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor and pharmacist you
are taking Avapro
If you plan to have surgery that needs a general anaesthetic, tell your doctor or
dentist that you are taking Avapro.
Make sure you drink enough water during exercise and hot weather when you are taking
Avapro.
If you have excessive vomiting and/or diarrhoea while taking Avapro, tell your doctor.
If you feel lightheaded or dizzy when your dose is increased, tell your doctor immediately
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Things you should not do
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Do not stop taking Avapro, or lower the dosage, without checking with your doctor.
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Driving or using machines
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Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Avapro affects you. Avapro
may cause dizziness or light- headedness in some people. If this occurs do not drive.
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Drinking alcohol
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If you drink alcohol, dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.
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Looking after your medicine
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Keep Avapro tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C
Keep your tablets in the packaging until it is time to take them
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6. Are there any side effects?
Common side effects: headache, dizziness or light-headedness, unusual tiredness or
weakness, fatigue, nausea/vomiting. Serious side effects: swelling of the face, lips,
tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing; severe and
sudden onset of pinkish, itchy swellings on the skin (hives or nettle rash). Common
side effects: headache; dizziness or light-headedness (vertigo); unusual tiredness
or weakness, fatigue; nausea/vomiting. For more information, including what to do
if you have any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Active ingredient(s): irbesartan
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about taking Avapro. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about taking Avapro.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I taking Avapro?
Avapro contains the active irbesartan. Avapro belongs to a group of medicines known as angiotensin-II receptor antagonists.
Angiotensin II is a substance produced in the body that causes blood vessels to narrow.
Avapro blocks angiotensin-II and therefore widens your blood vessels, making it easier
for your heart to pump blood throughout your body. This helps to lower your blood
pressure. Avapro also slows the decrease of kidney function in patients with high
blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
Avapro is used to treat high blood pressure, which doctors call hypertension. Avapro
is also used in the treatment of kidney disease in patients with high blood pressure
and type 2 diabetes.
2. What should I know before I take Avapro?
Warnings
Do not take Avapro if:
you are allergic to irbesartan, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can take this medicine.
you are pregnant (or think you may be pregnant) or are planning to become pregnant.
you are breast-feeding. It is not known if Avapro passes into breast milk, therefore
it is recommended that you not take it while you are breast-feeding
you have diabetes or have kidney problems and are being treated with medicines that
lower blood pressure such as an ACE inhibitor, any medicines containing aliskiren
or medicines that belong to a group of medicines known as Angiotensin-II receptor
antagonists (medicines also used to treat high blood pressure)
Check with your doctor if you:
have any other medical conditions
have had recent excessive vomiting or diarrhoea
have kidney problems, or you have had a kidney transplant or dialysis
have heart problems
have liver problems, or have had liver problems in the past
have diabetes
have high levels of potassium in your blood
are strictly restricting your salt intake
take any medicines for any other condition
are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
if you are breast feeding or plan to breastfeed
plan to have surgery (even at the dentist) that needs a general anaesthetic
have allergies to any substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Use in children
Avapro should not be given to children.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Do not take
Avapro if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. Do not take
Avapro if you are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Tell your doctor if you are taking or plan to take any of the following:
other medicines to treat high blood pressure
potassium supplements or, potassium-containing salt substitutes (you may need to have
regular blood tests
diuretics
medicines containing lithium (you may need to have regular blood tests)
non-steroidal anti- inflammatory medicine such as diclofenac, ibuprofen) and COX-
2 inhibitors (for example celecoxib) These medicines may be used to relieve pain,
swelling and other symptoms of inflammation including arthritis. Taking Avapro and
an anti- inflammatory medicine alone or with a thiazide diuretic (fluid tablet) may
damage your kidneys. It may also reduce the effect Avapro has on lowering blood pressure.
medicines taken to treat diabetes such as repaglinide. Avapro might lower your blood
glucose levels.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect Avapro.
4. How do I take Avapro?
How much to take
The usual starting dose is 150 mg tablet once a day. However, some patients may need
a lower starting dose. Your doctor will tell you if this is necessary. The full blood
pressure lowering effect of Avapro should be reached about 4 to 6 weeks after starting
treatment.
Depending on how your blood pressure responds, your daily dose of Avapro may need
to be increased. Most patients take either 150 mg or 300 mg once a day.
In patients with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, 300 mg once a day is the
preferred maintenance dose for slowing the progression of associated kidney disease.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure of the correct dose for you. They
will tell you exactly how much to take.
Follow the instructions provided and take Avapro until your doctor tells you to stop.
When to take Avapro
Take Avapro at about the same time each day.
How to take Avapro
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. It does not matter whether you take
Avapro tablets before or after food.
Continue taking Avapro until your doctor tells you to stop.
To help you remember to take your tablets each day, Avapro tablets are supplied in
a Calendar pack with the foil backing marked with the days of the week. This is just
a way to 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" at the end of
the blister strip. 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.
If you forget to take Avapro
Avapro should be used regularly at the same time each day. If you miss your dose at
the usual time.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next
dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and go back
to taking your tablets as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you take too much Avapro
If you think that you have used too much Avapro, you may need urgent medical attention.
If you take too many Avapro tablets you will probably feel lightheaded or dizzy.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If you take too many Avapro tablets you will probably feel lightheaded or dizzy.
5. What should I know while taking Avapro?
Things you should do
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who are treating you that you are
taking Avapro
Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Avapro
Have your blood pressure checked when your doctor tells you to, to make sure Avapro
is working
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor and pharmacist
that you are taking Avapro
If you plan to have surgery that needs a general anaesthetic, tell your doctor or
dentist that you are taking Avapro. Your blood pressure may drop suddenly
Make sure you drink enough water during exercise and hot weather when you are taking
Avapro, especially if you sweat a lot. If you do not drink enough water while taking
Avapro, you may faint or feel light-headed 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.
Tell your doctor if you have excessive vomiting and/or diarrhoea while taking Avapro.
You may lose too much water and salt and your blood pressure may drop too much.
Tell your doctor immediately If you feel lightheaded or dizzy after taking your first
dose of Avapro, or when your dose is increased.
Things you should not do
Do not give Avapro tablets to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as
you
Do not take Avapro to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or pharmacist
tells you to
Do not stop taking Avapro, or lower the dosage, without checking with your doctor
Things to be careful of
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get
up slowly.
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 problem continues
or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Avapro
affects you.
As with many other medicines used to treat high blood pressure, Avapro may cause dizziness
or light- headedness in some people. If this occurs do not drive.
Make sure you know how you react to Avapro before you drive a car, operate machinery,
or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or light-headed.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.
Looking after your medicine
Keep Avapro tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example:
do not store it in the bathroom or near a sink, or
do not store it in the car or on window sills.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
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Serious side effects
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What to do
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skin rash or itchiness
aching muscles, not caused by exercise
muscle pain or weakness
blood tests may show raised levels of an enzyme that measures the breakdown of muscle
(creatine phosphokinase)
buzzing, ringing or other persistent noise in the ear
symptoms that may indicate kidney disease, such as passing little or no urine, drowsiness,
nausea, vomiting, breathlessness, loss of appetite and weakness
symptoms that may indicate high potassium levels in the blood, such as nausea, diarrhoea,
muscle weakness, change in heart rhythm
yellowing of the skin and/or eyes, also called jaundice
symptoms that may indicate liver disease such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite,
feeling generally unwell, fever, itching, yellowing of the skin and eyes and dark
coloured urine
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Call your doctor straight away, you may need medical attention
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Allergy-related symptoms:
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing
or breathing
severe and sudden onset of pinkish, itchy swellings on the skin, also called hives
or nettle rash
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Stop taking Avapro and call your doctor straight away or go straight to the Emergency
Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.
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Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What Avapro contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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Each tablet contains 75 mg, 150 mg or 300 mg of irbesartan
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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carnauba wax
croscarmellose sodium
Hypromellose
lactose monohydrate
magnesium stearate
microcrystalline cellulose
silicon dioxide
OPADRY II complete film coating system 32F38977 WHITE
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Potential allergens
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Sugars (as lactose monohydrate)
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What Avapro looks like
Avapro 75 mg tablets: white to off-white, oval film-coated tablets with a heart shape
imprinted on one side and "2871" engraved on the other side. Pack size: 30 tablets
(Aust R 101730)
Avapro 150 mg tablets: white to off-white, oval film-coated tablets with a heart shape
imprinted on one side and "2872" engraved on the other side. Pack size: 30 tablets
(Aust R 101734)
Avapro 300 mg tablets: white to off-white, oval film-coated tablets with a heart shape
imprinted on one side and "2873" engraved on the other side. Pack size: 30 tablets
(Aust R 101736).
Who distributes Avapro
Avapro is supplied in Australia by:
sanofi-aventis australia pty ltd
12-24 Talavera Road
Macquarie Park NSW 2113
This leaflet was prepared in August 2022
Avapro is a registered trademark of sanofi-aventis
avapro-ccdsv18-cmiv20-19aug22