Indapamide is an oral tablet that's used to lower blood pressure and ease swelling (edema) caused by heart failure. Typically, the dose is once daily in the morning. Some common indapamide side effects of this medication include dizziness and feeling weak, which can put older adults at higher risk of falling. Indapamide is only available as a generic medication since the brand name (Lozol) has been discontinued.
High blood pressure
Swelling (edema) due to heart failure
Indapamide is a thiazide-like diuretic, also known as a water pill. It works in the kidneys to get rid of extra water and electrolytes (like sodium and potassium), which brings down swelling and lowers blood pressure. It also relaxes your blood vessels, which helps to lower your blood pressure more.
Source:Â DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Agitation
black, tarry stools
cough or hoarseness
dark urine
dizziness
fever or chills
headache
irritability
light-colored stools
lower back or side pain
muscle cramps or spasms
painful or difficult urination
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
stuffy or runny nose
swollen glands
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
yellow eyes and skin
Less common
Blurred vision
body aches or pain
burning, dry, or itching eyes
change in consciousness
cold sweats
confusion
decreased urine output
discharge, excessive tearing
discouragement
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
drowsiness
dryness or soreness of the throat
excessive muscle tone
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
feeling sad or empty
flushed, dry skin
fruit-like breath odor
increased hunger, thirst, and urination
increased urge to urinate during the night
increased volume of pale, dilute urine
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
lack of appetite
loss of interest or pleasure
lower back, side, or stomach pain
mood changes
muscle pain, cramps, tension, stiffness, or tightness
nervousness
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of eyelid
sugar in the urine
sweating
swelling of the face, feet, lower legs, ankles, or hands
tender, swollen glands in the neck
tightness in the chest
trouble breathing
trouble concentrating
trouble in swallowing
trouble sleeping
voice changes
waking to urinate at night
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Back pain
blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin
increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight
red irritated eyes
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
redness or other discoloration of the skin
severe sunburn
Less common
Acid or sour stomach
belching
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
hives or rash
inability to have or keep an erection
indigestion
lack or loss of strength
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
rapid weight gain
stomach discomfort or upset
tingling of the hands or feet
unusual weight gain or loss
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Works well to control blood pressure compared to other medications in the same class
Is an option if you have both high blood pressure and heart failure
Only taken once a day by mouth
Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Can cause low levels of important electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium
Requires routine blood tests to check electrolytes and kidney function
Might not be safe for people with severe kidney problems
Not recommended if for people with allergies to "sulfa" medications
Indapamide works to lower your blood pressure, but this can cause dizziness and lightheadedness. These are more likely to happen if you're suddenly standing up from a sitting or lying down position. Make sure to get up slowly from these positions after taking indapamide. Tell your provider if you experience fainting or dizziness while taking this medication.
Indapamide is a water pill that makes you urinate more often. Taking it in the morning will make it less likely for you to wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.
If you're using indapamide to lower blood pressure and it's not enough on its own, your provider might prescribe additional blood pressure-lowering medications.
If you have diabetes, you might need to monitor your blood sugar levels more often when starting indapamide. This is because indapamide can raise your blood sugar levels and possibly worsen your diabetes. Let your provider know if there are changes to your blood sugar levels during treatment with this medication. Your provider might need to adjust the dose of your diabetic medications to help better control your blood sugar.
Sometimes, people with a "sulfa" allergy might also be allergic to indapamide. Let your provider or pharmacist know if you've had allergic reactions to any medications in the past.
Indapamide can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Kidney problems | Liver problems | Women | Older adults | Taking higher doses of indapamide | Taking corticosteroids | Parathyroid problems
Indapamide can cause low levels of fluid (dehydration) and electrolytes (e.g., sodium, potassium, magnesium, or chloride). Sometimes, these changes might worsen liver or kidney problems. If you have severe liver problems, these changes can even result in a coma. Let your provider know if you experience dry mouth, thirst, weakness, tiredness, drowsiness, muscle pain, dizziness, fast heart rate, vomiting, or nausea. These can be symptoms of dehydration.
Also rarely, taking thiazide-like diuretics, like indapamide, can raise your blood calcium levels. In some cases, this might be a sign of a problem with your parathyroid. If your provider wants to test your parathyroid function, you'll need to stop taking indapamide. Make sure to tell your provider about all the medications you're taking before getting any tests or lab work done.
Risk factors: Personal or family history of gout | Kidney problems
Indapamide can raise uric acid levels in your body and cause or worsen gout. If you have had gout attacks before or have problems with your kidneys, your risk is higher. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you notice that your joints are swollen, red, and painful.
Risk factor: Diabetes
Indapamide might raise your blood sugar. If you already have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly and let your provider know if it's consistently higher or lower than usual. Your provider will adjust the dose of your diabetic medications as needed.
Risk factor: Sulfa or penicillin allergies
Vision changes can happen within hours or weeks after starting indapamide. Tell your doctor right away about any vision changes or eye pain and stop taking indapamide as soon as possible. In some cases, surgery might be required to avoid permanent vision loss.
Risk factor: Sulfa allergies
People with allergies to other sulfa medications might experience similar reactions with indapamide. Make sure your provider and pharmacist know about all of your medication allergies, especially if they are severe. Stop taking indapamide and get medical attention right away if you notice a rash or other signs of allergic reaction.
High blood pressure: The typical starting dose is 1.25 mg by mouth once daily in the morning. Your provider might adjust your dose depending on how well the medication is working for you. The maximum dose is 5 mg once daily.
Swelling due to heart failure: The typical starting dose is 2.5 mg by mouth once daily in the morning. Your provider might adjust your dose depending on how well the medication is working for you. The maximum dose is 5 mg once daily.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Having trouble urinating
History of allergies to sulfa medications
High blood pressure
Swelling (edema) due to heart failure
High blood pressure
Swelling in the body from fluids (edema), in addition to other medications
Swelling (edema) due to heart failure, liver problems, or kidney problems
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Actavis Pharma, Inc. (2023). INDAPAMIDE- indapamide tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
McCament-Mann, L. A. (n.d.). Benefits and Side Effects of Indapamide. Poison Control.
MedlinePlus. (2016). Parathyroid Disorders.
Thomas, J. R. (1985). A review of 10 years of experience with indapamide as an antihypertensive agent. Hypertension.
Walma, A., et al. (1997). Withdrawal of long term diuretic medication in elderly patients: a double blind randomised trial. BMJ: British Medical Journal.
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