Irbesartan

AVAPRO

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Pronunciation: ir-be-SAR-tan

Irbesartan ballicule: receptor binding, kinetics and half-life diagram — Mechanism of action: Irbesartan ballicule

Irbesartan AVAPRO mascot mnemonic cartoon — Visual mnemonic: Irbesartan mascot
**“Airby sartan is a vapor”**
Arby’s for ARB
Satan for sartan

What it isAngiotensin II receptor blocker; hypertension and diabetic nephropathy.

Why this oneRenal outcome data in type 2 diabetic nephropathy, and a long duration suited to once-daily dosing.

What limits itHyperkalemia and the hemodynamic creatinine rise. Contraindicated in pregnancy.

Irbesartan molecular structure (skeletal formula) — Molecular structure: Irbesartan

FDA-approved for

hypertension (1997)
diabetic nephropathy (2002)

FDA label

Read the full label on DailyMed ↗

BOXED WARNING Fetal toxicity — drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin system can cause fetal injury/death; discontinue when pregnancy is detected.

FDA dosing	Population	Start	Max
Hypertension	Adults	150 mg QD	300 mg QD
Hypertension, volume/salt-depleted	Adults (e.g., high-dose diuretics, hemodialysis)	75 mg QD
Diabetic nephropathy (type 2)	Adults	300 mg QD

Renal Undefined

Hepatic Undefined

Instructions

May be taken with or without food
May be given with other antihypertensive agents
Correct volume/salt depletion before starting, or use the lower 75 mg starting dose

Available strengths

tab 75, 150, 300 mg

Contraindications

Coadministration with aliskiren in patients with diabetes

Cautions

Fetal toxicity — discontinue when pregnancy detected
Symptomatic hypotension in volume/salt-depleted patients — correct depletion first
Impaired renal function/acute renal failure in RAS-dependent patients — monitor renal function
Hyperkalemia (especially in diabetic nephropathy)

Adverse reactions

Diarrhea
Dyspepsia/heartburn
Fatigue
Hyperkalemia
Orthostatic dizziness/hypotension (nephropathy)
Angioedema (postmarketing)

Pregnancy Can cause fetal harm (reduced renal function, oligohydramnios, skull hypoplasia, death); discontinue as soon as pregnancy is detected.

Lactation No human data; not recommended in breastfeeding women due to potential adverse effects on the infant.

Cost

Irbesartan (AVAPRO)

What pharmacies pay · NADAC 9/30/26

Strength		#/mo	generic $/mo	CostPlus
75 mg	tab	30 qd	$2.47	offered
150 mg	tab	30 qd	$3.21	offered
300 mg	tab	30 qd	$4.87	offered

Generic entry2012

⚠ BOXED WARNING

Fetal toxicity; discontinue as soon as pregnancy is detected

Principal riskHyperkalemia and acute kidney injury

Classes and tags

Clinical profile

Therapeutic safety burden2 / 4

Overdose danger2 / 4

Weight-gain liability0 / 4

Sedation liability0 / 4

QT / Torsades0 / 4

Direct muscarinic antagonism0 / 4

Embryofetal risk4 / 4

Legacy pregnancy categoryD

Defining liabilityHyperkalemia, kidney injury, fetal toxicity and increased lithium exposure.

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Memory aids: interaction avatars

Box: minimal PK interactions

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