Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Hydrochlorothiazide, Irbesartan may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
FOR CoAprovel is a combination of two active substances, irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide. Irbesartan belongs to a group of medicines known as angiotensinII receptor antagonists. Angiotensin-II is a substance produced in the body that binds to receptors in blood vessels causing them to tighten. This results in an increase in blood pressure. Irbesartan prevents the binding of angiotensin-II to these receptors, causing the blood vessels to relax and the blood pressure to lower. Hydrochlorothiazide is one of a group of medicines (called thiazide diuretics) that causes increased urine output and so causes a lowering of blood pressure. The two active ingredients in CoAprovel work together to lower blood pressure further than if either was given alone. CoAprovel is used to treat high blood pressure, when treatment with irbesartan or hydrochlorothiazide alone did not provide adequate control of your blood pressure.
E COAPROVEL Do not take CoAprovel
Your doctor may check your kidney function, blood pressure, and the amount of electrolytes (e.g. potassium) in your blood at regular intervals. Talk to your doctor if you experience abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea after taking CoAprovel. Your doctor will decide on further treatment. Do not stop taking CoAprovel on your own. See also information under the heading "Do not take CoAprovel". You must tell your doctor if you think you are (or might become) pregnant. CoAprovel is not recommended in early pregnancy, and must not be taken if you are more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used at that stage (see pregnancy section). You should also tell your doctor:
COAPROVEL Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Dosage The recommended dose of CoAprovel is one or two tablets a day. CoAprovel will usually be prescribed by your doctor when your previous treatment did not reduce your blood pressure enough. Your doctor will instruct you how to switch from the previous treatment to CoAprovel. Method of administration CoAprovel is for oral use. Swallow the tablets with a sufficient amount of fluid (e.g. one glass of water). You can take CoAprovel with or without food. Try to take your daily dose at about the same time each day. It is important that you continue to take CoAprovel until your doctor tells you otherwise. The maximal blood pressure lowering effect should be reached 6-8 weeks after beginning treatment. If you take more CoAprovel than you should If you accidentally take too many tablets, contact your doctor immediately. Children should not take CoAprovel CoAprovel should not be given to children under 18 years of age. If a child swallows some tablets, contact your doctor immediately. If you forget to take CoAprovel If you accidentally miss a daily dose, just take the next dose as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Some of these effects may be serious and may require medical attention. Rare cases of allergic skin reactions (rash, urticaria), as well as localised swelling of the face, lips and/or tongue have been reported in patients taking irbesartan. If you get any of the above symptoms or get short of breath, stop taking CoAprovel and contact your doctor immediately. The frequency of the side effects listed below is defined using the following convention: Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people Side effects reported in clinical studies for patients treated with CoAprovel were: Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
associated with hydrochlorothiazide alone Loss of appetite; stomach irritation; stomach cramps; constipation; jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes); inflammation of the pancreas characterised by severe upper stomach pain, often with nausea and vomiting; sleep disorders; depression; blurred vision; lack of white blood cells, which can result in frequent infections, fever; decrease in the number of platelets (a blood cell essential for the clotting of the blood), decreased number of red blood cells (anaemia) characterised by tiredness, headaches, being short of breath when exercising, dizziness and looking pale; kidney disease; lung problems including pneumonia or build-up of fluid in the lungs; increased sensitivity of the skin to the sun; inflammation of blood vessels; a skin disease characterized by the peeling of the skin all over the body; cutaneous lupus erythematosus, which is identified by a rash that may appear on the face, neck, and scalp; allergic reactions; weakness and muscle spasm; altered heart rate; reduced blood pressure after a change in body position; swelling of the salivary glands; high sugar levels in the blood; sugar in the urine; increases in some kinds of blood fat; high uric acid levels in the blood, which may cause gout. Very rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people): Acute respiratory distress (signs include severe shortness of breath, fever, weakness, and confusion). Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data): skin and lip cancer (non-melanoma skin cancer), decrease in vision or pain in your eyes due to high pressure (possible signs of fluid accumulation in the vascular layer of the eye (choroidal effusion) or acute angle-closure glaucoma). It is known that side effects associated with hydrochlorothiazide may increase with higher doses of hydrochlorothiazide. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report any side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
COAPROVEL Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and on the blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not store above 30°C. Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
What CoAprovel contains
932204 CL 183 170 x 310 mm
CoAprovel 150 mg/12.5 mg film-coated tablets comes as tablet containing 150mg / 12.5mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in CoAprovel 150 mg/12.5 mg film-coated tablets is hydrochlorothiazide, irbesartan.
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Irbesartan Hydrochlorothiazide Krka 150 mg/12.5 mg film-coated tablets, Irbesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Milpharm 150 mg/ 12.5 mg film-coated tablets, Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide 150 mg/12.5 mg tablets. In total there are 4 equivalent products. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for CoAprovel 150 mg/12.5 mg film-coated tablets, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Treatment of essential hypertension.
This fixed dose combination is indicated in adult patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled on irbesartan or hydrochlorothiazide alone (see section 5.1).
Posology
CoAprovel can be taken once daily, with or without food.
Dose titration with the individual components (i.e. irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide) may be recommended.
When clinically appropriate direct change from monotherapy to the fixed combinations may be considered:
▪ CoAprovel 150 mg/12.5 mg may be administered in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled with hydrochlorothiazide or irbesartan 150 mg alone;
▪ CoAprovel 300 mg/12.5 mg may be administered in patients insufficiently controlled by irbesartan 300 mg or by CoAprovel 150 mg/12.5 mg.
▪ CoAprovel 300 mg/25 mg may be administered in patients insufficiently controlled by CoAprovel 300 mg/12.5 mg.
Doses higher than 300 mg irbesartan/25 mg hydrochlorothiazide once daily are not recommended.
When necessary, CoAprovel may be administered with another antihypertensive medicinal product (see sections 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 and 5.1).
Special Populations
Renal impairment
Due to the hydrochlorothiazide component, CoAprovel is not recommended for patients with severe renal dysfunction (creatinine clearance < 30 ml/min). Loop diuretics are preferred to thiazides in this population. No dosage adjustment is necessary in patients with renal impairment whose renal creatinine clearance is ≥ 30 ml/min (see sections 4.3 and 4.4).
Hepatic impairment
CoAprovel is not indicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment. Thiazides should be used with caution in patients with impaired hepatic function. No dosage adjustment of CoAprovel is necessary in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (see section 4.3).
Older people
No dosage adjustment of CoAprovel is necessary in older people.
Paediatric population
CoAprovel is not recommended for use in children and adolescents because the safety and efficacy have not been established. No data are available.
Method of Administration
For oral use.
▪ Hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1, or to other sulfonamide-derived substances (hydrochlorothiazide is a sulfonamide-derived substance)
▪ Second and third trimesters of pregnancy (see sections 4.4 and 4.6)
▪ Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 ml/min)
▪ Refractory hypokalaemia, hypercalcaemia
▪ Severe hepatic impairment, biliary cirrhosis and cholestasis
▪ The concomitant use of CoAprovel with aliskiren-containing products is contraindicated in patients with diabetes mellitus or renal impairment (glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 ml/min/1.73 m²) (see sections 4.5 and 5.1).
Hypotension - Volume-depleted patients: CoAprovel has been rarely associated with symptomatic hypotension in hypertensive patients without other risk factors for hypotension. Symptomatic hypotension may be expected to occur in patients who are volume and/or sodium depleted by vigorous diuretic therapy, dietary salt restriction, diarrhoea or vomiting. Such conditions should be corrected before initiating therapy with CoAprovel.
Renal artery stenosis - Renovascular hypertension: there is an increased risk of severe hypotension and renal insufficiency when patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis or stenosis of the artery to a single functioning kidney are treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-II receptor antagonists. While this is not documented with CoAprovel, a similar effect should be anticipated.
Renal impairment and kidney transplantation: when CoAprovel is used in patients with impaired renal function, a periodic monitoring of potassium, creatinine and uric acid serum levels is recommended. There is no experience regarding the administration of CoAprovel in patients with a recent kidney transplantation. CoAprovel should not be used in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 ml/min) (see section 4.3). Thiazide diuretic-associated azotaemia may occur in patients with impaired renal function. No dosage adjustment is necessary in patients with renal impairment whose creatinine clearance is ≥ 30 ml/min. However, in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≥ 30 ml/min but < 60 ml/min) this fixed dose combination should be administered with caution.
Dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS): there is evidence that the concomitant use of ACE-inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers or aliskiren increases the risk of hypotension, hyperkalaemia and decreased renal function (including acute renal failure). Dual blockade of RAAS through the combined use of ACE-inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers or aliskiren is therefore not recommended (see sections 4.5 and 5.1). If dual blockade therapy is considered absolutely necessary, this should only occur under specialist supervision and subject to frequent close monitoring of renal function, electrolytes and blood pressure. ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers should not be used concomitantly in patients with diabetic nephropathy.
Hepatic impairment: thiazides should be used with caution in patients with impaired hepatic function or progressive liver disease, since minor alterations of fluid and electrolyte balance may precipitate hepatic coma. There is no clinical experience with CoAprovel in patients with hepatic impairment.
Aortic and mitral valve stenosis, obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: as with other vasodilators, special caution is indicated in patients suffering from aortic or mitral stenosis, or obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Primary aldosteronism: patients with primary aldosteronism generally will not respond to antihypertensive medicinal products acting through inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system. Therefore, the use of CoAprovel is not recommended.
Metabolic and endocrine effects: thiazide therapy may impair glucose tolerance. Latent diabetes mellitus may become manifest during thiazide therapy. Irbesartan may induce hypoglycaemia, particularly in diabetic patients. In patients treated with insulin or antidiabetics an appropriate blood glucose monitoring should be considered; a dose adjustment of insulin or antidiabetics may be required when indicated (see section 4.5).
Increases in cholesterol and triglyceride levels have been associated with thiazide diuretic therapy; however at the 12.5 mg dose contained in CoAprovel, minimal or no effects were reported.
Hyperuricaemia may occur or frank gout may be precipitated in certain patients receiving thiazide therapy.
Electrolyte imbalance: as for any patient receiving diuretic therapy, periodic determination of serum electrolytes should be performed at appropriate intervals.
Thiazides, including hydrochlorothiazide, can cause fluid or electrolyte imbalance (hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, and hypochloremic alkalosis). Warning signs of fluid or electrolyte imbalance are dryness of mouth, thirst, weakness, lethargy, drowsiness, restlessness, muscle pain or cramps, muscular fatigue, hypotension, oliguria, tachycardia, and gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea or vomiting.
Although hypokalaemia may develop with the use of thiazide diuretics, concurrent therapy with irbesartan may reduce diuretic-induced hypokalaemia. The risk of hypokalaemia is greatest in patients with cirrhosis of the liver, in patients experiencing brisk diuresis, in patients who are receiving inadequate oral intake of electrolytes and in patients receiving concomitant therapy with corticosteroids or ACTH. Conversely, due to the irbesartan component of CoAprovel hyperkalaemia might occur, especially in the presence of renal impairment and/or heart failure, and diabetes mellitus. Adequate monitoring of serum potassium in patients at risk is recommended. Potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements or potassium-containing salts substitutes should be co-administered cautiously with CoAprovel (see section 4.5).
There is no evidence that irbesartan would reduce or prevent diuretic-induced hyponatraemia. Chloride deficit is generally mild and usually does not require treatment.
Thiazides may decrease urinary calcium excretion and cause an intermittent and slight elevation of serum calcium in the absence of known disorders of calcium metabolism. Marked hypercalcaemia may be evidence of hidden hyperparathyroidism. Thiazides should be discontinued before carrying out tests for parathyroid function.
Thiazides have been shown to increase the urinary excretion of magnesium, which may result in hypomagnaesemia.
Intestinal angioedema:
Intestinal angioedema has been reported in patients treated with angiotensin II receptor antagonists, including CoAprovel (see section 4.8). These patients presented with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Symptoms resolved after discontinuation of angiotensin II receptor antagonists. If intestinal angioedema is diagnosed, CoAprovel should be discontinued and appropriate monitoring should be initiated until complete resolution of symptoms has occurred.
Lithium: the combination of lithium and CoAprovel is not recommended (see section 4.5).
Anti-doping test: hydrochlorothiazide contained in this medicinal product could produce a positive analytic result in an anti-doping test.
General: in patients whose vascular tone and renal function depend predominantly on the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (e.g. patients with severe congestive heart failure or underlying renal disease, including renal artery stenosis), treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-II receptor antagonists that affect this system has been associated with acute hypotension, azotaemia, oliguria, or rarely acute renal failure (see section 4.5). As with any antihypertensive agent, excessive blood pressure decrease in patients with ischemic cardiopathy or ischemic cardiovascular disease could result in a myocardial infarction or stroke.
Hypersensitivity reactions to hydrochlorothiazide may occur in patients with or without a history of allergy or bronchial asthma, but are more likely in patients with such a history.
Exacerbation or activation of systemic lupus erythematosus has been reported with the use of thiazide diuretics.
Cases of photosensitivity reactions have been reported with thiazides diuretics (see section 4.8). If photosensitivity reaction occurs during treatment, it is recommended to stop the treatment. If a re-administration of the diuretic is deemed necessary, it is recommended to protect exposed areas to the sun or to artificial UVA.
Pregnancy: angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists (AIIRAs) should not be initiated during pregnancy. Unless continued AIIRA therapy is considered essential, patients planning pregnancy should be changed to alternative antihypertensive treatments which have an established safety profile for use in pregnancy. When pregnancy is diagnosed, treatment with AIIRAs should be stopped immediately, and, if appropriate, alternative therapy should be started (see sections 4.3 and 4.6).
Choroidal effusion, Acute Myopia and Secondary Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma: sulfonamide drugs or sulfonamide derivative drugs can cause an idiosyncratic reaction, resulting in choroidal effusion with visual field defect, transient myopia and acute angle-closure glaucoma. While hydrochlorothiazide is a sulfonamide, only isolated cases of acute angle-closure glaucoma have been reported so far with hydrochlorothiazide. Symptoms include acute onset of decreased visual acuity or ocular pain and typically occur within hours to weeks of drug initiation. Untreated acute angle-closure glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. The primary treatment is to discontinue drug intake as rapidly as possible. Prompt medical or surgical treatments may need to be considered if the intraocular pressure remains uncontrolled. Risk factors for developing acute angle-closure glaucoma may include a history of sulfonamide or penicillin allergy (see section 4.8).
Excipients:
CoAprovel 150 mg/12.5 mg film-coated tablet contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.
CoAprovel 150 mg/12.5 mg film-coated tablet contains sodium. This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
Non-melanoma skin cancer
An increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) [basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)] with increasing cumulative dose of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) exposure has been observed in two epidemiological studies based on the Danish National Cancer Registry.
Photosensitizing actions of HCTZ could act as a possible mechanism for NMSC.
Patients taking HCTZ should be informed of the risk of NMSC and advised to regularly check their skin for any new lesions and promptly report any suspicious skin lesions. Possible preventive measures such as limited exposure to sunlight and UV rays and, in case of exposure, adequate protection should be advised to the patients in order to minimize the risk of skin cancer. Suspicious skin lesions should be promptly examined potentially including histological examinations of biopsies. The use of HCTZ may also need to be reconsidered in patients who have experienced previous NMSC (see also section 4.8).
Acute Respiratory Toxicity
Very rare severe cases of acute respiratory toxicity, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have been reported after taking hydrochlorothiazide. Pulmonary oedema typically develops within minutes to hours after hydrochlorothiazide intake. At the onset, symptoms include dyspnoea, fever, pulmonary deterioration and hypotension. If diagnosis of ARDS is suspected, CoAprovel should be withdrawn and appropriate treatment given. Hydrochlorothiazide should not be administered to patients who previously experienced ARDS following hydrochlorothiazide intake.
Other antihypertensive agents: the antihypertensive effect of CoAprovel may be increased with the concomitant use of other antihypertensive agents. Irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (at doses up to 300 mg irbesartan/25 mg hydrochlorothiazide) have been safely administered with other antihypertensive agents including calcium channel blockers and beta-adrenergic blockers. Prior treatment with high dose diuretics may result in volume depletion and a risk of hypotension when initiating therapy with irbesartan with or without thiazide diuretics unless the volume depletion is corrected first (see section 4.4).
Aliskiren-containing products or ACE-inhibitors: clinical trial data has shown that dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) through the combined use of ACE-inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers or aliskiren is associated with a higher frequency of adverse events such as hypotension, hyperkalaemia and decreased renal function (including acute renal failure) compared to the use of a single RAAS-acting agent (see sections 4.3, 4.4 and 5.1).
Lithium: reversible increases in serum lithium concentrations and toxicity have been reported during concomitant administration of lithium with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Similar effects have been very rarely reported with irbesartan so far. Furthermore, renal clearance of lithium is reduced by thiazides so the risk of lithium toxicity could be increased with CoAprovel. Therefore, the combination of lithium and CoAprovel is not recommended (see section 4.4). If the combination proves necessary, careful monitoring of serum lithium levels is recommended.
Medicinal products affecting potassium: the potassium-depleting effect of hydrochlorothiazide is attenuated by the potassium-sparing effect of irbesartan. However, this effect of hydrochlorothiazide on serum potassium would be expected to be potentiated by other medicinal products associated with potassium loss and hypokalaemia (e.g. other kaliuretic diuretics, laxatives, amphotericin, carbenoxolone, penicillin G sodium). Conversely, based on the experience with the use of other medicinal products that blunt the renin-angiotensin system, concomitant use of potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium or other medicinal products that may increase serum potassium levels (e.g. heparin sodium) may lead to increases in serum potassium. Adequate monitoring of serum potassium in patients at risk is recommended (see section 4.4).
Medicinal products affected by serum potassium disturbances: periodic monitoring of serum potassium is recommended when CoAprovel is administered with medicinal products affected by serum potassium disturbances (e.g. digitalis glycosides, antiarrhythmics).
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: when angiotensin II antagonists are administered simultaneously with non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (i.e. selective COX-2 inhibitors, acetylsalicylic acid (> 3 g/day) and non-selective NSAIDs), attenuation of the antihypertensive effect may occur.
As with ACE inhibitors, concomitant use of angiotensin II antagonists and NSAIDs may lead to an increased risk of worsening of renal function, including possible acute renal failure, and an increase in serum potassium, especially in patients with poor pre-existing renal function. The combination should be administered with caution, especially in the elderly. Patients should be adequately hydrated and consideration should be given to monitoring renal function after initiation of concomitant therapy, and periodically thereafter.
Repaglinide: irbesartan has the potential to inhibit OATP1B1. In a clinical study, it was reported that irbesartan increased the Cmax and AUC of repaglinide (substrate of OATP1B1) by 1.8-fold and 1.3‑fold, respectively, when administered 1 hour before repaglinide. In another study, no relevant pharmacokinetic interaction was reported, when the two drugs were co-administered. Therefore, dose adjustment of antidiabetic treatment such as repaglinide may be required (see section 4.4).
Additional information on irbesartan interactions: in clinical studies, the pharmacokinetic of irbesartan is not affected by hydrochlorothiazide. Irbesartan is mainly metabolised by CYP2C9 and to a lesser extent by glucuronidation. No significant pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic interactions were observed when irbesartan was coadministered with warfarin, a medicinal product metabolised by CYP2C9. The effects of CYP2C9 inducers such as rifampicin on the pharmacokinetic of irbesartan have not been evaluated. The pharmacokinetic of digoxin was not altered by co-administration of irbesartan.
Additional information on hydrochlorothiazide interactions: when administered concurrently, the following medicinal products may interact with thiazide diuretics:
Alcohol: potentiation of orthostatic hypotension may occur;
Antidiabetic medicinal products (oral agents and insulins): dosage adjustment of the antidiabetic medicinal product may be required (see section 4.4);
Colestyramine and Colestipol resins: absorption of hydrochlorothiazide is impaired in the presence of anionic exchange resins. CoAprovel should be taken at least one hour before or four hours after these medications;
Corticosteroids, ACTH: electrolyte depletion, particularly hypokalaemia, may be increased;
Digitalis glycosides: thiazide induced hypokalaemia or hypomagnaesemia favour the onset of digitalis-induced cardiac arrhythmias (see section 4.4);
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: the administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug may reduce the diuretic, natriuretic and antihypertensive effects of thiazide diuretics in some patients;
Pressor amines (e.g. noradrenaline): the effect of pressor amines may be decreased, but not sufficiently to preclude their use;
Nondepolarizing skeletal muscle relaxants (e.g. tubocurarine): the effect of nondepolarizing skeletal muscle relaxants may be potentiated by hydrochlorothiazide;
Antigout medicinal products: dosage adjustments of antigout medicinal products may be necessary as hydrochlorothiazide may raise the level of serum uric acid. Increase in dosage of probenecid or sulfinpyrazone may be necessary. Co-administration of thiazide diuretics may increase the incidence of hypersensitivity reactions to allopurinol;
Calcium salts: thiazide diuretics may increase serum calcium levels due to decreased excretion. If calcium supplements or calcium sparing medicinal products (e.g. vitamin D therapy) must be prescribed, serum calcium levels should be monitored and calcium dosage adjusted accordingly;
Carbamazepine: concomitant use of carbamazepine and hydrochlorothiazide has been associated with the risk of symptomatic hyponatraemia. Electrolytes should be monitored during concomitant use. If possible, another class of diuretics should be used;
Other interactions: the hyperglycaemic effect of beta-blockers and diazoxide may be enhanced by thiazides. Anticholinergic agents (e.g. atropine, beperiden) may increase the bioavailability of thiazide-type diuretics by decreasing gastrointestinal motility and stomach emptying rate. Thiazides may increase the risk of adverse effects caused by amantadine. Thiazides may reduce the renal excretion of cytotoxic medicinal products (e.g. cyclophosphamide, methotrexate) and potentiate their myelosuppressive effects.
Pregnancy
Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists (AIIRAs)
The use of AIIRAs is not recommended during the first trimester of pregnancy (see section 4.4). The use of AIIRAs is contraindicated during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy (see sections 4.3 and 4.4).
Epidemiological evidence regarding the risk of teratogenicity following exposure to ACE inhibitors during the first trimester of pregnancy has not been conclusive; however a small increase in risk cannot be excluded. Whilst there is no controlled epidemiological data on the risk with Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists (AIIRAs), similar risks may exist for this class of drugs. Unless continued AIIRA therapy is considered essential, patients planning pregnancy should be changed to alternative antihypertensive treatments which have an established safety profile for use in pregnancy. When pregnancy is diagnosed, treatment with AIIRAs should be stopped immediately, and, if appropriate, alternative therapy should be started.
Exposure to AIIRA therapy during the second and third trimesters is known to induce human foetotoxicity (decreased renal function, oligohydramnios, skull ossification retardation) and neonatal toxicity (renal failure, hypotension, hyperkalaemia). (See section 5.3).
Should exposure to AIIRAs have occurred from the second trimester of pregnancy, ultrasound check of renal function and skull is recommended.
Infants whose mothers have taken AIIRAs should be closely observed for hypotension (see sections 4.3 and 4.4).
Hydrochlorothiazide
There is limited experience with hydrochlorothiazide during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Animal studies are insufficient. Hydrochlorothiazide crosses the placenta. Based on the pharmacological mechanism of action of hydrochlorothiazide its use during the second and third trimester may compromise foeto-placental perfusion and may cause foetal and neonatal effects like icterus, disturbance of electrolyte balance and thrombocytopenia.
Hydrochlorothiazide should not be used for gestational oedema, gestational hypertension or preeclampsia due to the risk of decreased plasma volume and placental hypoperfusion, without a beneficial effect on the course of the disease.
Hydrochlorothiazide should not be used for essential hypertension in pregnant women except in rare situations where no other treatment could be used.
Since CoAprovel contains hydrochlorothiazide, it is not recommended during the first trimester of pregnancy. A switch to a suitable alternative treatment should be carried out in advance of a planned pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists (AIIRAs)
Because no information is available regarding the use of CoAprovel during breast-feeding, CoAprovel is not recommended and alternative treatments with better established safety profiles during breast-feeding are preferable, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
It is unknown whether irbesartan or its metabolites are excreted in human milk.
Available pharmacodynamic/toxicological data in rats have shown excretion of irbesartan or its metabolites in milk (for details see 5.3).
Hydrochlorothiazide
Hydrochlorothiazide is excreted in human milk in small amounts. Thiazides in high doses causing intense diuresis can inhibit the milk production. The use of CoAprovel during breast feeding is not recommended. If CoAprovel is used during breast feeding, doses should be kept as low as possible.
Fertility
Irbesartan had no effect upon fertility of treated rats and their offspring up to the dose levels inducing the first signs of parental toxicity (see section 5.3).
Based on its pharmacodynamic properties, CoAprovel is unlikely to affect the ability to drive and use machines. When driving vehicles or operating machines, it should be taken into account that occasionally dizziness or weariness may occur during treatment of hypertension.
Irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination
Among 898 hypertensive patients who received various doses of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide (range: 37.5 mg/6.25 mg to 300 mg/25 mg) in placebo-controlled trials, 29.5% of the patients experienced adverse reactions. The most commonly reported ADRs were dizziness (5.6%), fatigue (4.9%), nausea/vomiting (1.8%), and abnormal urination (1.4%). In addition, increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (2.3%), creatine kinase (1.7%) and creatinine (1.1%) were also commonly observed in the trials.
Table 1 gives the adverse reactions observed from spontaneous reporting and in placebo-controlled trials.
The frequency of adverse reactions listed below is defined using the following convention:
very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100); rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000); very rare (< 1/10,000). Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
Table 1: Adverse Reactions in Placebo-Controlled Trials and Spontaneous Reports
Investigations:
Common:
increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and creatine kinase
Uncommon:
decreases in serum potassium and sodium
Cardiac disorders:
Uncommon:
syncope, hypotension, tachycardia, oedema
Nervous system disorders:
Common:
dizziness
Uncommon:
orthostatic dizziness
Not known:
headache
Ear and labyrinth disorders:
Not known:
tinnitus
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders:
Not known:
cough
Gastrointestinal disorders:
Common:
nausea/vomiting
Uncommon:
diarrhoea
Not known:
dyspepsia, dysgeusia
Renal and urinary disorders:
Common:
abnormal urination
Not known:
impaired renal function including isolated cases of renal failure in patients at risk (see section 4.4)
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders:
Uncommon:
swelling extremity
Not known:
arthralgia, myalgia
Metabolism and nutrition disorders:
Not known:
hyperkalaemia
Vascular disorders:
Uncommon:
flushing
General disorders and administration site conditions:
Common:
fatigue
Immune system disorders:
Not known:
cases of hypersensitivity reactions such as angioedema, rash, urticaria
Hepatobiliary disorders:
Uncommon:
Not known:
jaundice
hepatitis, abnormal liver function
Reproductive system and breast disorders:
Uncommon:
sexual dysfunction, libido changes
Additional information on individual components: in addition to the adverse reactions listed above for the combination product, other adverse reactions previously reported with one of the individual components may be potential adverse reactions with CoAprovel. Tables 2 and 3 below detail the adverse reactions reported with the individual components of CoAprovel.
Table 2: Adverse reactions reported with the use of irbesartan alone
Blood and lymphatic system disorders:
Not known:
anaemia, thrombocytopenia
General disorders and administration site conditions:
Uncommon:
chest pain
Immune system disorders:
Not known:
Anaphylactic reaction including anaphylactic shock
Metabolism and nutrition disorders:
Not known:
hypoglycaemia
Gastrointestinal disorders:
Rare:
intestinal angioedema
Table 3: Adverse reactions reported with the use of hydrochlorothiazide alone
Investigations:
Not known:
electrolyte imbalance (including hypokalaemia and hyponatraemia, see section 4.4), hyperuricaemia, glycosuria, hyperglycaemia, increases in cholesterol and triglycerides
Cardiac disorders:
Not known:
cardiac arrhythmias
Blood and lymphatic system disorders:
Not known:
aplastic anaemia, bone marrow depression, neutropenia/agranulocytosis, haemolytic anaemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia
Nervous system disorders:
Not known:
vertigo, paraesthesia, light-headedness, restlessness
Eye disorders:
Not known:
transient blurred vision, xanthopsia, acute myopia and secondary acute angle-closure glaucoma, choroidal effusion
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders:
Very rare:
Not known:
acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (see section 4.4)
respiratory distress (including pneumonitis and pulmonary oedema)
Gastrointestinal disorders:
Not known:
pancreatitis, anorexia, diarrhoea, constipation, gastric irritation, sialadenitis, loss of appetite
Renal and urinary disorders:
Not known:
interstitial nephritis, renal dysfunction
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:
Not known:
anaphylactic reactions, toxic epidermal necrolysis, necrotizing angitis (vasculitis, cutaneous vasculitis), cutaneous lupus erythematosus-like reactions, reactivation of cutaneous lupus erythematosus, photosensitivity reactions, rash, urticaria
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders:
Not known:
weakness, muscle spasm
Vascular disorders:
Not known:
postural hypotension
General disorders and administration site conditions:
Not known:
fever
Hepatobiliary disorders:
Not known:
jaundice (intrahepatic cholestatic jaundice)
Psychiatric disorders:
Not known:
depression, sleep disturbances
Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)
Not known:
non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma)
Non-melanoma skin cancer: Based on available data from epidemiological studies, cumulative dose dependent association between HCTZ and NMSC has been observed (see also sections 4.4 and 5.1).
The dose dependent adverse events of hydrochlorothiazide (particularly electrolyte disturbances) may increase when titrating the hydrochlorothiazide.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
No specific information is available on the treatment of overdose with CoAprovel. The patient should be closely monitored, and the treatment should be symptomatic and supportive. Management depends on the time since ingestion and the severity of the symptoms. Suggested measures include induction of emesis and/or gastric lavage. Activated charcoal may be useful in the treatment of overdose. Serum electrolytes and creatinine should be monitored frequently. If hypotension occurs, the patient should be placed in a supine position, with salt and volume replacements given quickly.
The most likely manifestations of irbesartan overdose are expected to be hypotension and tachycardia; bradycardia might also occur.
Overdose with hydrochlorothiazide is associated with electrolyte depletion (hypokalaemia, hypochloremia, hyponatraemia) and dehydration resulting from excessive diuresis. The most common signs and symptoms of overdose are nausea and somnolence. Hypokalaemia may result in muscle spasms and/or accentuate cardiac arrhythmias associated with the concomitant use of digitalis glycosides or certain anti-arrhythmic medicinal products.
Irbesartan is not removed by haemodialysis. The degree to which hydrochlorothiazide is removed by haemodialysis has not been established.
Ask anything about CoAprovel 150 mg/12.5 mg film-coated tablets. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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