What should to be take care of about Indapamide?

Indapamide is a thiazide-like diuretic drug marketed by Servier, generally used in the treatment of hypertension, as well as decompensated cardiac failure.

Indapamide

Indapamide belongs to a group of medicines called diuretics. A diuretic is a medicine which increases the amount of urine that you pass out from your kidneys. They are often referred to as water tablets. Diuretics are a common treatment for hypertension (high blood pressure).

Diuretics like indapamide work by interfering with the transport of salt and water across certain cells in your kidneys. The effect of this is to make your kidneys pass out more urine. They also widen (dilate) blood vessels. A combination of these two effects reduces high blood pressure.

Indapamide can be used on its own or alongside other medicines which reduce blood pressure. It is also available as a combination tablet with a medicine called perindopril arginine.

Treatment for high blood pressure is usually long-term. Although many people with high blood pressure do not feel unwell, if left untreated, high blood pressure can harm your heart and damage your blood vessels. This damage may later result in a heart attack, stroke, or kidney problems, so it is important that you continue to take these tablets regularly to help reduce the risk of this.

Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can monitor your blood pressure and check on your progress. Also, the salt balance in your bloodstream may be upset by indapamide and your doctor may want you to have a blood test from time to time to check for this.

You may be given some lifestyle or dietary advice by your doctor, such as stopping smoking, reducing the amount of salt in your diet and taking some regular exercise. Following this advice will also help to reduce the risk of damage to your heart and blood vessels.

Diuretics like indapamide help you to lose water. Occasionally you may lose too much and become dehydrated. Let your doctor know if you feel constantly thirsty, your mouth is dry, or your skin looks and feels dry.

Drinking alcohol while you are on indapamide may make you feel dizzy. Ask for your doctor's advice about whether you should avoid alcohol.

If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take alongside indapamide.

If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.

If you are an athlete, you should be aware that indapamide may give a positive reaction in doping tests.