Indapamide: A Diuretic for Hypertension and Heart Failure
Indapamide is a generic drug that belongs to the class of thiazide-like diuretics, or water pills. It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure. It works by making the kidneys excrete more water and salt, which lowers the blood volume and pressure. Indapamide can also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with hypertension.
How to use indapamide
Indapamide comes as an oral tablet that is usually taken once a day in the morning. The dosage depends on the condition being treated and the response to the medication. The usual dose range is 1.25 mg to 5 mg per day. Indapamide can be taken with or without food, but it should be taken at the same time each day. It is important to drink plenty of fluids while taking indapamide, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Indapamide may cause increased urination during the first few weeks of treatment, so it is best to avoid taking it at bedtime. You should also avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase the diuretic effect and cause dehydration. You should not stop taking indapamide without consulting your doctor, as this may cause your blood pressure to rise suddenly.
Side effects of indapamide
Indapamide may cause some common side effects, such as:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue, weakness, or loss of energy
- Muscle cramps or spasms
These side effects are usually mild and may go away after a few days or weeks. However, if they persist or worsen, you should contact your doctor.
Indapamide may also cause some serious side effects, such as:
- Low blood potassium or sodium levels, which can cause symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth, confusion, irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or seizures
- Allergic reactions, which can cause symptoms such as rash, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing, or anaphylaxis
- Liver problems, which can cause symptoms such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain, or jaundice
- Kidney problems, which can cause symptoms such as decreased urine output, blood in the urine, or edema
- Gout attacks, which can cause symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, redness, or warmth
- Blood disorders, which can cause symptoms such as bruising, bleeding, anemia, or infection
If you experience any of these side effects, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Precautions and interactions of indapamide
Indapamide is not suitable for everyone. You should not take indapamide if you:
- Are allergic to indapamide or any other ingredients in the tablet
- Are allergic to sulfa drugs
- Have anuria (no urine production)
- Have severe liver or kidney disease
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are under 18 years old
You should also inform your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, especially:
- Cirrhosis or other liver problems
- Gout or high uric acid levels
- Diabetes or high blood sugar levels
- Lupus or other autoimmune diseases
- Low blood potassium or sodium levels
- A low-salt diet
You should also tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Some drugs that may interact with indapamide include:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as perindopril (Coversyl), lisinopril (Zestril), or enalapril (Vasotec)
- Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), such as losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), or candesartan (Atacand)
- Beta blockers, such as metoprolol (Lopressor), atenolol (Tenormin), or propranolol (Inderal)
- Calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine (Norvasc), nifedipine (Adalat), or diltiazem (Cardizem)
- Digoxin (Lanoxin), a drug used to treat heart failure and arrhythmias
- Lithium (Lithobid), a drug used to treat bipolar disorder
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), or aspirin
- Steroids, such as prednisone, hydrocortisone, or dexamethasone
- Allopurinol (Zyloprim), a drug used to treat gout
- Antidiabetic drugs, such as insulin, metformin (Glucophage), or glipizide (Glucotrol)
- Anticoagulants, such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, or dabigatran (Pradaxa)
- Antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor)
- Anticonvulsants, such as phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), or valproic acid (Depakote)
These drugs may increase the risk of side effects or reduce the effectiveness of indapamide. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose or monitor you more closely if you take any of these drugs.
Indapamide price and availability
Indapamide is a generic drug that is widely available in most pharmacies. The price may vary depending on the dosage, quantity, and pharmacy location. You may be able to save money by using a coupon or a discount card from your doctor or online sources. You may also be eligible for assistance programs if you have low income or no insurance.
The following table shows the average price of indapamide in different countries, based on online sources. The prices are in US dollars and do not include shipping costs or taxes. The table also provides the reference links for each source.
| Country | Price per tablet | Reference link |
|---|---|---|
| USA | $0.15 | GoodRx |
| Canada | $0.18 | PharmacyChecker |
| UK | $0.10 | Doctor Fox |
| Australia | $0.08 | Chemist Warehouse |
| India | $0.03 | MedPlusMart |
| Pakistan | $0.02 | Dawaai.pk |
| UAE | $0.06 | Life Pharmacy |
| Average | $0.09 |
Top 5 global brands of indapamide
Indapamide is sold under different brand names in different countries. Some of the most popular and reputable brands are:
- Natrilix: This is the