Key takeaways:
Irbesartan (Avapro) is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used to lower blood pressure. It interacts with several medications, supplements, and foods.
Irbesartan interacts with other ARBs and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It also interacts with Entreso (sacubitril / valsartan) and aliskiren (Tekturna). These combinations raise the risk of low blood pressure, high potassium, and kidney damage.
Taking potassium supplements with irbesartan could lead to high potassium levels. Potassium-rich foods are generally still OK to eat while taking irbesartan. But you shouldn’t eat them in excess.
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Irbesartan (Avapro) is a first-choice medication for treating high blood pressure. It belongs to a group of medications called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). By relaxing blood vessels, irbesartan allows blood to flow more easily. This helps take strain off the heart and kidneys.
If you’re starting irbesartan, it’s common to wonder if it’s OK to take it with other medications. Knowing about irbesartan interactions can help you stay safe while taking it.
Irbesartan interactions at a glance
Irbesartan interacts with the following medications, supplements, and foods:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as lisinopril (Zestril, Qbrelis)
Other ARBs, such as losartan (Cozaar)
Entresto (sacubitril / valsartan)
Aliskiren (Tekturna)
Lithium (Lithobid)
Medications that raise potassium levels, such as spironolactone (Aldactone)
Potassium supplements, such as potassium chloride (Klor-Con)
Salt substitutes that contain potassium
Potassium-rich foods, such as yams, when eaten in large amounts
This isn’t a full list. Give your prescriber and pharmacist a list of medications and supplements that you take. This can help them identify and manage interactions.
Below are more details about eight notable irbesartan interactions.
1. NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen
Irbesartan interacts with NSAIDs, a type of pain reliever. Common NSAID examples include:
Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
Diclofenac (Cambia, Cataflam)
Celecoxib (Celebrex, Elyxyb)
NSAIDs can raise blood pressure. That can make it harder for irbesartan to lower blood pressure. Both irbesartan and NSAIDs also affect the kidneys. Combining them can raise your risk of kidney damage. This is especially true if you take NSAIDs at high doses or long term.
What’s more, NSAIDs (especially long-term use) carry a risk of heart attacks. So they’re typically not recommended if you’re at risk for having a heart attack. Many people who take ARBs have risk factors for serious cardiovascular problems.
It’s possible you may need to take both irbesartan and an NSAID to manage certain conditions. Make sure your prescriber knows that you’re taking both. They may want to monitor you more closely for problems while you’re taking the combination.
2. ACE inhibitors, such as lisinopril
Irbesartan works well on its own. If needed, it can be safely combined with certain other blood pressure medications. But you shouldn’t take both irbesartan and an ACE inhibitor.
Common ACE inhibitors include:
Enalapril (Vasotec)
Benazepril (Lotensin)
Quinapril
Ramipril
Irbesartan and ACE inhibitors work in similar ways. Combining them doesn’t provide additional benefit. But it does raise your risk of serious side effects, such as low blood pressure, high potassium levels, and kidney damage. Because of these risks, it’s not recommended to take both irbesartan and an ACE inhibitor.
3. Other ARBs, such as losartan
Irbesartan is an ARB. So it makes sense that you shouldn’t combine it with another medication in this class.
Examples of other ARBs include:
Losartan
Olmesartan (Benicar)
Telmisartan (Micardis)
Valsartan (Diovan)
Irbesartan (Avapro)
Candesartan (Atacand)
Azilsartan (Edarbi)
All ARBs work similarly. If someone takes irbesartan with another ARB, it doesn’t work better than taking just one of them. Instead, it raises the risk of side effects, including low blood pressure, high potassium levels, and kidney problems.
Talk to your prescriber if your blood pressure is still higher than your goal range, despite taking irbesartan. They can adjust your irbesartan dosage or add another blood pressure medication that’s safe to combine.
4. Entresto
You shouldn’t take irbesartan and Entresto together. Entresto treats certain types of heart failure. It contains two medications, one of which is valsartan (an ARB).
As discussed, you shouldn’t combine irbesartan with another ARB. It raises the risk of serious side effects without providing more benefits. If you’re switching from irbesartan to Entreso, you should stop irbesartan first. Your prescriber should give you instructions on how to safely make the switch.
5. Aliskiren
You shouldn’t combine irbesartan and aliskiren, another blood pressure medication. The two work along the same pathway in the body. This means they share some side effects.
Taking irbesartan with aliskiren can cause dangerously low blood pressure, high potassium levels, and kidney damage. People with diabetes or kidney problems are at higher risk for these complications.
If irbesartan or aliskiren isn’t working well enough on its own, talk to your prescriber. They can recommend a blood pressure medication that’s safe to combine with your regimen.
6. Lithium
Irbesartan also interacts with the mood stabilizer lithium. Irbesartan can raise lithium levels in your body, potentially causing more side effects.
If lithium levels become too high, it can lead to lithium toxicity. Symptoms of lithium toxicity include dizziness, confusion, and in severe cases, coma or even death.
Make sure your lithium prescriber knows if you’re also taking irbesartan. They may want to monitor your lithium levels more closely. If needed, they’ll adjust your lithium dosage to manage this interaction.
7. Medications that raise potassium levels, such as spironolactone
On its own, irbesartan can raise your blood potassium levels. Combining irbesartan with other medications that also increase potassium can lead to high potassium levels (hyperkalemia).
Other medications that raise potassium levels include:
Some diuretics (“water pills”), such as spironolactone (Aldactone) and triamterene
Some immunosuppressants, such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus (Prograf)
Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra)
NSAIDs
ACE inhibitors
Other ARBs
Possible symptoms of high potassium include muscle weakness, tingling, and nausea. But many people have no symptoms. In severe cases, you could experience heart palpitations, confusion, or trouble breathing. If your symptoms feel severe, seek emergency care. Severely high potassium is a medical emergency.
This is not a complete list. Tell your healthcare team about all the medications you’re taking so they can screen for this interaction. Some medications might still be OK to take with irbesartan. But you may need to go for routine blood tests to monitor your potassium levels.
8. Foods and supplements that raise potassium levels, such as salt substitutes
It’s not just medications that can raise your potassium levels. Some foods, herbs, and supplements can also cause high potassium when combined with irbesartan.
Common examples of supplements and foods that interact with irbesartan in this way include:
Potassium supplements, such as potassium chloride and potassium citrate (Urocit-K)
Salt substitutes that contain potassium
Some herbal supplements, such as evening primrose
Multivitamins that contain potassium
Some nutritional supplements, such as protein shakes
Large amounts of potassium-rich foods, such as yams, lima beans, and prune juice
Ask your pharmacist and prescriber before starting a supplement. Sometimes, natural sources of potassium may not be written on the over-the-counter medication or nutrition label. Your healthcare team can help you choose safe supplements that won’t interact with irbesartan.
Potassium-rich foods are generally OK to eat while taking irbesartan. But talk to a healthcare professional if you usually consume large amounts of these foods. They may suggest dietary changes to help manage this irbesartan interaction.
Can you eat bananas while taking irbesartan?
Yes, you can eat bananas while taking irbesartan. Just be careful since bananas are high in potassium. Ask your prescriber for guidance about how many bananas or other potassium-rich foods you can eat.
The bottom line
Irbesartan (Avapro) is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that helps lower blood pressure. Irbesartan interacts with other ARBs, such as losartan (Cozaar), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as lisinopril (Zestril, Qbrelis). Other interactions include Entresto (sacubitril / valsartan) and aliskiren (Tekturna). These combinations raise the risk of serious side effects, such as low blood pressure, high potassium, and kidney damage.
Irbesartan also interacts with potassium supplements. Taking them together could raise your potassium levels. Eating potassium-rich foods, such as bananas, while taking irbesartan is typically safe, as long as you don’t consume large amounts.
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References
American Kidney Fund. (2025). Acute kidney injury (AKI) symptoms, treatment and prevention.
AvKARE. (2025). Irbesartan- irbesartan tablet [package insert].
Dietary Guidelines for Americans. (n.d.). Food sources of potassium.
Fountain, J. H., et al. (2023). Physiology, renin angiotensin system. StatPearls.
National Kidney Foundation. (2025). Herbal supplements and kidney disease.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). FDA drug safety communication: New warning and contraindication for blood pressure medicines containing aliskiren (Tekturna).
Whelton, P. K., et al. (2017). 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association task force on clinical practice guidelines. Hypertension.
