Prescription medication · Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)
irbesartan
Also sold as Avapro. Irbesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 43,004
- FDA reportsOften reported
- 2
- InteractionsFew interactions
- 99% less
- Generic vs brandHuge savings
- $7.35
- Brand price (NADAC)
What the data shows
irbesartan (Avapro) is a prescription Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB), reported at a middle-of-the-pack volume (43,004 FDA reports), whose generic costs a fraction of the brand (about 99% less).
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
irbesartan (Avapro) is a prescription Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB). Irbesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Irbesartan is a medicine that lowers blood pressure. It belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs).
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$7.35/unit
Generic Price
$0.11/unit
Generic Savings
99%
Generic Available
Yes (21 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Irbesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Common side effects
Diarrhea, Heartburn, Tiredness
Key warnings
Irbesartan can harm your unborn baby.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from irbesartan's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Take irbesartan once a day, as prescribed by your doctor. You can take it with or without food. The usual starting dose for high blood pressure is 150 mg daily, which may be increased to 300 mg. For diabetic kidney disease, the usual dose is 300 mg daily.
This is a plain-language summary of irbesartan's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
This is a plain-language summary of irbesartan's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
This is a plain-language summary of irbesartan's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store irbesartan tablets at room temperature (68°F to 77°F).
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 43,004 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for irbesartan, by number of reports
- Tiredness
Tiredness
2,461 reports
- Feeling sick to your stomach
Feeling sick to your stomach
2,421 reports
- Loose or watery stools
Loose or watery stools
2,261 reports
- Sudden kidney damage
Sudden kidney damage
2,054 reports
- Feeling lightheaded or unsteady
Feeling lightheaded or unsteady
1,983 reports
- Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath
1,983 reports
- Accidental fall
Accidental fall
1,928 reports
- Pain in your head
Pain in your head
1,871 reports
- Weakness
Weakness
1,683 reports
- General feeling of discomfort or illness
General feeling of discomfort or illness
1,593 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for irbesartan each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where irbesartan sits
irbesartan has more FDA adverse-event reports than 71% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is irbesartan; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 43,004 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2001–2025.
Total Reports
43,004
Reports Mentioning Death
3,218
7.5% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
18,387
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FATIGUE | 2,460 |
| 2 | NAUSEA | 2,420 |
| 3 | DIARRHOEA | 2,261 |
| 5 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 2,054 |
| 6 | DIZZINESS | 1,985 |
| 7 | DYSPNOEA | 1,981 |
| 8 | FALL | 1,927 |
| 9 | HEADACHE | 1,871 |
| 10 | ASTHENIA | 1,683 |
| 12 | MALAISE | 1,592 |
| 13 | PAIN | 1,513 |
| 14 | VOMITING | 1,496 |
| 15 | BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED | 1,479 |
| 16 | COUGH | 1,434 |
| 17 | HYPOTENSION | 1,426 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
7.4 Dual Blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) Dual blockade of the RAS with angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, or aliskiren is associated with increased risks of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and changes in renal function (including acute renal failure) compared to monotherapy. Do not coadminister aliskiren with irbesartan tablets in patients with diabetes. Avoid use of aliskiren with irbesartan tablets in patients with renal impairment (GFR <60 mL/min).
Mechanism: These drugs both work on the same system in the body, which can lead to dangerously low blood pressure or kidney failure.
What to do: Avoid this combination if you have diabetes or kidney problems, and have your doctor check your kidney function regularly.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Lithium: Risk of lithium toxicity. 7.2 Lithium Increases in serum lithium concentrations and lithium toxicity have been reported with concomitant use of irbesartan and lithium. Monitor lithium levels in patients receiving irbesartan and lithium.
Mechanism: Irbesartan can make it harder for your kidneys to remove lithium from your body, which causes lithium levels to rise. This increase can lead to dangerous side effects or toxicity.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your lithium blood levels closely while you are taking both medications.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
Can I take irbesartan with other blood pressure medicines?
Can I drink alcohol while taking irbesartan?
What should I do if I feel dizzy after taking irbesartan?
Does irbesartan have any effect on my kidneys?
Can I take irbesartan if I have diabetes?
Will irbesartan cure my high blood pressure?
Are there any foods I should avoid while taking irbesartan?
Can I stop taking irbesartan if my blood pressure is normal?
Does irbesartan interact with any other medications?
How long does it take for irbesartan to lower my blood pressure?
What are the common side effects of irbesartan?
Does irbesartan interact with other medications?
What drug class is irbesartan?
Is there a generic version of irbesartan?
Is irbesartan safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)
Other drugs grouped near irbesartan - same-class peers and common alternatives.
acebutolol
Sectral
Acebutolol is a medicine that helps lower blood pressure and control irregular heartbeats.
Compare with irbesartan →
aliskiren
Tekturna
Tekturna is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure.
Compare with irbesartan →
amiloride
Midamor
Amiloride is a water pill that helps your body hold onto potassium.
Compare with irbesartan →
amlodipine
Norvasc
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a drug that lowers blood pressure and treats chest pain.
Compare with irbesartan →
amlodipine/benazepril
Lotrel
Lotrel is a combination medicine that contains amlodipine and benazepril.
Compare with irbesartan →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Save on irbesartan
Compare prices and find discounts at pharmacies near you. Free coupons can save up to 80% on prescriptions.
Disclosure: This link may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. See our terms.
What the FDA Data Shows for irbesartan
The FDA label for irbesartan (sold under brand names such as Avapro) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) class. Irbesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Official labeling lists 7 commonly reported side effects, including Diarrhea, Heartburn, Tiredness.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 43,004 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.11 versus $7.35 for the brand - a 99% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: January 27, 2026
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages