Key takeaways
Irbesartan (Avapro) and perindopril (Aceon) are both medications used to treat high blood pressure, but they belong to different drug classes. Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), while perindopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Irbesartan is also used to treat diabetic kidney disease, whereas perindopril is used to lower the risk of death or heart attack in people with coronary artery disease (CAD). One key difference is that irbesartan is less likely to cause a dry cough compared to perindopril, which commonly causes this side effect. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics and are typically taken once a day. However, both medications have the potential to raise potassium levels and requires regular blood work to monitor kidney health. Neither medication is safe to use during pregnancy.
