Indapamide - tablets for pressure, the mechanism of action of the drug and what can be replaced

Indapamide is inexpensive, and therefore a popular medicine for normalizing blood pressure. However, the sphere of its influence does not end there, the drug also has some other properties. In the language of doctors, it belongs to the pharmacological group of thiazide diuretics, while having an antihypertensive and vasodilatory effect.

If you translate this phrase for a wide range of readers, it turns out that Indapamide is a diuretic and vasodilator that lowers blood pressure.

It is taken 1 tablet once a day. The normal dose is 1.5-2.5 mg. The antihypertensive (lowering pressure) effect persists for a long time, in contrast to the diuretic (diuretic).

With an increased dosage (more than 2.5 mg in 24 hours), the diuretic effect increases, which helps to reduce edema. At the same time, the antihypertensive result remains at the same level.

A clear hypotensive effect occurs a week after the start of taking the pills, becoming maximum after 60 days.

The drug reduces left ventricular hypertrophy and improves vascular health. In patients with hypertension, it has a cardioprotective effect (protects the tissues of the heart).

The drug does not affect fat and carbohydrate metabolism, including in people suffering from arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

Indapamide has a high bioavailability (the ability of the drug to be absorbed in the body) - 93%. The time required to reach the highest concentration in the blood is 1-2 hours after taking a dose of 2.5 mg. It is excreted from the body by the kidneys (naturally) 60-80% the total amount of the drug, the rest with metabolic products. The percentage of unchanged product is 5%. Due to these factors, the drug can cause many problems for people with severe kidney disease.

The drug activates the appearance of vasodilators and platelet-forming substances: prostaglandin PgE2 and prostacyclin PgI2. While taking a standard dose, it reduces the reaction of blood vessels to the action of vasoconstrictor substances: calcium, angiotensin II and norepinephrine. This reduces the total atrial load, dilates the arterioles (small arteries), and decreases pressure.

The agent is capable of influencing the permeability of membranes, due to which the body absorbs calcium better. This, in turn, minimizes the contraction of the vascular walls, giving them elasticity.

The drug reduces the reabsorption of sodium in the renal tissues, increases the natural excretion of chlorides and sodium (with urine) from the body, to a lesser extent - magnesium and potassium. Due to this, the volume of the withdrawn liquid increases.

The medicine is available in two forms: 2.5 mg capsules and 1.5 and 2.5 mg tablets. The structure of each of them includes the active substance indapamide (2.5 mg) and auxiliary elements: magnesium stearate, croprovidone, povidone, lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, talc, potato starch. The film shell consists of titanium dioxide, hypromellose, hyprolose, copovidone and talc. One package can contain 10 or 30 tablets.

Although in the instructions for the use of Indapamide, only arterial hypertension is indicated as indications, the drug has the following properties:

• dilates blood vessels;
• lowers blood pressure;
• increases resistance in arterioles;
• has a slight diuretic (diuretic) effect.

A doctor may recommend medication for high blood pressure in older people. And also in cases where hypertension is accompanied by heart failure, osteoporosis, or isolated systolic hypertension is observed (only the upper value is increased).

Indapamide Retard and its differences from classic Indapamide

In addition to the usual Indapamide, you can find Indapamide Retard in pharmacies. Contraindications for taking both drugs are almost identical.

These include:

• During pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• hypokalemia (low concentration of potassium ions in the blood);
• renal failure;
• individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
• severe encephalopathy or other severe liver dysfunction;
• age up to 18 years.

Those who are interested in how Indapamide differs from Indapamide Retard can be informed that the main difference between these two drugs is the fact that 1 tablet of the second drug of the active substance of indopamide contains 1.5 mg, in contrast to the usual one, where this indicator is 2.5 mg. This fact means that a drug with a lower active substance content is a so-called sustained-release (extended-release) drug. Such funds are distinguished by a smoother and more lasting effect, in contrast to conventional tablets.

In addition, these types may have other minor differences: for example, the price or the number of tablets in the package.

Indapamide Retard belongs to the group of thiazide-like thiuretics with prolonged action. Its active compound is capable of blocking the reabsorption of sodium, hydrogen and chlorine. The drug lowers the reactivity of the vascular wall to angiotensin II and norepinephrine.

The drug reduces peripheral vascular resistance, increases vascular elasticity and prevents an increase in the left ventricular myocardium.

The bioavailability of the drug is high - 93%. After 12 hours, its peak concentration in the blood is reached. The liver carries out the metabolic process, cleansing the body of the active substance. About 80% of the composition is excreted by the kidneys, the rest - with feces. The chemical constituents of the drug do not accumulate in the human body.

Elderly patients with normal renal function or minor impairments in their work are allowed to take Indapamide Retard. In this case, it is necessary to control the plasma concentration of creatinine.

If through 1-2 months after the start of taking the drug, the therapeutic effect does not occur, there is no need to increase the daily dose. Instead, another antihypertensive agent that is not a diuretic is included in the treatment regimen.

Indapamide medicine: instructions for use and dosage

The drug Indapamide is safe and lowers blood pressure well, normalizing the total resistance in the arterioles. True, one should not wait for an instant result and take it to block a hypertensive crisis - the patient notices the effect of the pills only after 7-14 days after the start of the daily intake.

There are powerful drugs for emergencies, but they have a lot of side effects. But with a serious threat, this disadvantage can be neglected.

To obtain a lasting result when taking Indapamide medication, it is categorically not recommended to take breaks. At the very least, you should consult your doctor about this.

If the patient forgot to take a pill at the usual time, it does not matter, this can be done at any time, regardless of the meal. But it is still better to at least approximately adhere to one period.

Usually the drug Indapamide is taken for a long time. Discontinuation of admission must be agreed with the attending physician. The fact is that when using the drug, some patients may experience unpleasant symptoms, which are often mistaken for side effects. However, in most cases this is not the case - often these are the consequences of atherosclerosis, which affects the vessels of the brain, heart and extremities. In such cases, when the drug is canceled, these signs do not disappear, but the risk of stroke and heart attack increases many times.

Another serious mistake can be self-withdrawal of the drug after the blood pressure has returned to normal. This absolutely must not be done. With hypertension, the medication should be taken constantly, regardless of the pressure indicators. Often patients suffering from high blood pressure take such medications all their lives. Refusal of pills, as well as the transition to others, must be agreed with the doctor.

Indapamide's analogs differ little in their therapeutic properties from the original. For example, the dissimilarity with Indapamide MV Stada lies in the content of the main substance (1.5 mg instead of 2.5 mg of the prototype). In addition, in the second version, there are no excipients such as potato starch and cellulose, but both preparations contain magnesium stearate and lactose, and the latter also contains aerosil (silicon dioxide colloidal).

The medicine Indapamide is often prescribed to normalize blood pressure for people with diabetes. This is because it does not raise blood uric acid and glucose levels, unlike most diuretics. However, even with relatively safe pills, blood sugar should be monitored daily.

Most often, this drug is prescribed in conjunction with angiotensin II receptor blockers or ACE inhibitors. Drugs from these groups not only help lower blood pressure, but also protect the kidneys from diabetes symptoms, preventing the rapid development of renal failure.

Studies were conducted in which patients were prescribed the drug Indapamide in the Perindopril complex (a drug related to ACE inhibitors). This combination normalizes blood pressure, increases coronary blood flow, protects the heart muscle and reduces the likelihood of cardiovascular complications.

In addition, with the combined intake, the amount of protein in the urine decreased, which indicates a better tolerance of the complex by the kidneys. Among diabetics, such medicines as Noriprel, Perindid, Ko-Perineva are popular. All of them are combined perindopril with a diuretic.

Indapamide is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age. The reason for this is simple - experiments on taking the drug in this age group have not been carried out, therefore the reaction of a young organism to these pills is unknown and may be completely unpredictable. It is hardly worth risking a child's health - in such cases, a doctor's consultation is necessary. Only an experienced specialist will be able to choose the necessary medicine in a particular case.

A separate conversation is the drug Indapamide during pregnancy and lactation. It goes without saying that during such periods a woman is strictly forbidden to self-medicate - a reception any pills, medicinal herbs, and even the setting of an enema should be coordinated with the observer of the pregnancy a doctor. With high blood pressure and edema, the specialist will most likely recommend more gentle and safer medicines to a lady while waiting for a baby. Taking these pills can provoke placental ischemia, accompanied by the risk of slowing fetal development.

When breastfeeding, you should also refuse to use the drug Indapamide - the fact is that its concentration in breast milk and possible effects on the baby's body have not been established. Accordingly, the therapeutic safety of the drug has not been proven.

Indapamide pressure tablets and their side effects

Indapamide pressure pills, with all their safety, have some side effects. However, it should be noted right away that they rarely occur. For a complete list, see instructions for use.

In addition, there is a possibility of exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Intoxication of the body in connection with taking pills from the pressure of Indapamide occurs only if the dose was exceeded 27 times, that is, the patient took not 2.5 mg of a single dose, but 16 film-coated tablets at the same time (With 40 mg). At the same time, there is drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, a sharp decrease in blood pressure (below 90/60), dizziness, convulsions, impaired consciousness, increased or decreased urine flow up to the complete absence of its flow into the bladder (anuria).

As a treatment, gastric lavage is used and activated charcoal is prescribed. It is necessary to restore the water-electrolyte balance. There is no special antidote (antidote).

The drug interaction of tablets from the pressure of Indapamide is quite difficult. Before the doctor prescribes this drug, be sure to warn him about taking certain pills or herbs.

A complete list of side effects when Indapamide pressure pills are taken together with other drugs can be found in the annotation to the drug.

In addition, there are special instructions that must be taken into account before taking the pills. These include recommendations for the use of Indapamide by certain groups of the population. For example, during therapy with this remedy, one should refrain from driving a car and other actions related to increased danger and the need for concentration of attention, as well as the speed of reaction due to possible dizziness.

Athletes should be aware that the composition of the drug can give a positive result when conducting doping tests.

Patients with diabetes need to control their blood glucose levels, and those who take cardiac glycosides and laxatives drugs, as well as the elderly need constant control over the concentration of magnesium ions, sodium, blood pH, uric acid and residual nitrogen.

Indapamide: similar drugs, prices and reviews

Due to the fact that the drug has an excellent therapeutic effect, as well as a low price, the reviews on the Internet speak for themselves. The drug is actively used in the treatment and stabilization of pressure, and patients are satisfied.

However, of course, there are negative reviews, most often they are associated with the fact that taking the drug carried out without the supervision of a doctor, and as a result, the person is faced with side effects and overdose.

Marina:

“I have never written reviews before, but here I made up my mind. Here's the thing: a high blood pressure therapist advised me Arifon Retard. I came to the pharmacy - my dear mother, a pack costs more than 300 rubles. Nothing to do, I bought it. I drank the whole pack, followed another. To another pharmacy. And there the pharmacist advised me to take Indapamide - a similar drug, but cheaper. I did not dare to change it myself, but on the same day I went to my doctor to ask if it could be replaced. She spent a long time describing to me all the charms of the prescribed medication, how to replace Indapamide, but in the end, through her teeth, she admitted that it would suit me well. To celebrate, I bought several packs at once - the price for it is nothing at all. "

Lyudmila:

“A friend advised me to take this medicine when I complained to her about my problem with blood pressure. He helped her husband well until he was diagnosed with gout: they had to decide how to replace Indapamide - for analogs, the price is higher. True, I did not immediately dare to take it - I read somewhere that such remedies cannot be prescribed for myself on my own, not vitamins. I went to the doctor, she examined me, inquired in detail about all the pills that I took and allowed me to try Indapamide. It was decided not to use similar drugs yet. True, I advised before that to give up other vasodilating drugs, which did not help me very well.
In general, I bought it at the pharmacy, opened the instructions at home and rejoiced at my prudence - that would have got myself a problem if I had listened to my girlfriend. I don’t blame her, of course, she advised with the best of intentions. Only, nevertheless, not always one person is suitable for something that helps another perfectly, and a joint intake with other medications can have a bad effect on health - not benefit, but bring harm. So my conclusion from all this: Indapamide is good, but it will still be better if the doctor prescribes it. "

The price of Indapamide may differ depending on the region. Its average price is 25 rubles, Indapamid Retard - from 65 rubles. Those funds that can replace Indapamide can cost up to 700 rubles per pack (30 pcs.).

Indapamide analogs are:

• Indap;
• Arifon Retard;
• Perindopril;
• Noliprel;
• Acripamide;
• Indiour;
• Ionic;
• Lorvas SR;
• Pamid;
• Ravel SR;
• Retapres;
• Tenzar;
• Cyclomethiazide.