irbesartan vs olmesartan
Side-by-side comparison of irbesartan and olmesartan Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Avapro
Benicar
Irbesartan is a medicine that lowers blood pressure. It belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs).
Olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide is a drug that lowers high blood pressure. It contains two medicines that work together to help relax your blood vessels and remove extra salt and water from your body.
Irbesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. It is also used to treat kidney problems caused by diabetes in people with high blood pressure.
This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. It may be used alone or with other blood pressure medicines.
Irbesartan blocks a substance in your body that tightens blood vessels. This helps blood vessels relax and widens them, which lowers blood pressure. It also helps protect the kidneys in people with diabetes.
Olmesartan blocks a substance in your body that tightens blood vessels, so blood flows more smoothly. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of extra salt and water. This lowers blood pressure.
- • Diarrhea
- • Heartburn
- • Tiredness
- • Increased potassium levels
- • Dizziness
- • Nausea
- • High uric acid levels in the blood
- • Dizziness
- • Upper respiratory infection (like a cold)
- Tiredness 2,461
- Feeling sick to your stomach 2,421
- Loose or watery stools 2,261
- Medicine not working 2,134
- Sudden kidney damage 2,054
No adverse event reports.
Irbesartan can harm your unborn baby. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Stop taking irbesartan as soon as you know you are pregnant.
This medicine can harm your unborn baby. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Stop taking this medicine as soon as you know you are pregnant.
Irbesartan can cause serious harm or death to an unborn baby. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding, as this medication may not be safe for your baby.
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. It can cause serious harm or death to your unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters. Talk to your doctor about other blood pressure medicines if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, as this medication may pass into breast milk.
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How to Read This irbesartan vs olmesartan Comparison
irbesartan is classified in the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) drug class, while olmesartan sits within the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, irbesartan has 11,331 submissions while olmesartan has 0. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between irbesartan and olmesartan — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.