Irbesartan

Adults: Adults: The usual starting and maintenance dose is 150 mg once daily, taken with or without food. A 150 mg once-daily dose generally gives better 24-hour blood pressure control than 75 mg. Starting treatment at 75 mg may, however, be considered, particularly in patients on haemodialysis and in people over 75 years of age. If blood pressure is not adequately controlled on 150 mg once daily, the dose may be increased to 300 mg, or other blood-pressure-lowering medicines may be added. In particular, adding a diuretic such as hydrochlorothiazide has been shown to have an additive effect with irbesartan. In patients with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, treatment should begin at 150 mg once daily and be increased to 300 mg once daily, which is the preferred maintenance dose for the treatment of kidney disease. The kidney benefit of irbesartan in these patients was demonstrated in studies where it was used together with other blood-pressure-lowering medicines, as needed, to reach target blood pressure. Elderly: Although starting treatment at 75 mg should be considered in patients over 75 years of age, dose adjustment is not usually necessary in older people. Children: Irbesartan is not recommended for use in children and adolescents, as there is insufficient data on its safety and effectiveness in this group.