1. Overview

• Generic name: Indapamide
• Brand name: Lozide
• Drug class: Diuretics

Indapamide belongs to a group of drugs called diuretics with antihypertensive effect. Diuretics are drugs that increase the amount of urine excretion. At low doses indapamide causes vasodilation and acts as an antihypertensive agent, but in high doses it will possess diuretic effects. It is available as tablets.

2. Uses

Indapamide works by removing excess water from the body by increasing salt excretion via the kidneys. This will decrease total blood volume and lowers blood pressure.

Generally uses of indapamide include:

• Controlling high blood pressure (but not curing it)
• Treatment of edema in patients with heart failure

3. Dosage forms

Indapamide is available as oral tablets:

• 1.25 mg
• 2.5 mg

Dosage for Edema

For adults: Initially 2.5 mg/day, then after 1 week it may need to increase to 5 mg/day

Dosage for Hypertension

For adults and elderly: Initially, 1.25 mg, then after 4 week it may need to increase to 2.5mg/day or 5 mg/day

4. How & when to take indapamide

Indapamide oral tablet should be taken once daily in the morning with breakfast.

If you forget a dose, you can take the missed dose as soon as possible, however, if you are supposed to take your next dose within 4 hours, take one dose now and skip the next dose. You should never take a double dose.

Do not stop taking indapamide without talking to your doctor. If you stop suddenly the symptoms of high blood pressure may reappear.

5. Special precautions

Before taking the drug, tell your doctor if you have allergy to indapamide, or if you have any of the following conditions:

• Kidney or liver problems
• Gout
• Hyperthyroidism or Hyperparathyroidism
• Allergy to Sulphonamide drugs

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Indapamide is not prescribed during pregnancy and breast feeding, it’s best to discuss the matter with your doctor.

6. Who cannot use indapamide?

Indapamide is not suitable for certain individuals who:

• Have sensitivity to thiazide diuretics or sulfonamides
• Have renal diseases
• Have liver impairment
• Have history of Gout
• Have diabetes
• Have high cholesterol levels
• Have low sodium levels in the blood (hyponatremia)

Indapamide is not prescribed for infants and children.

7. Side effects

Indapamide often causes few adverse effects. Rashes are among the most common problems. Common side effects of indapamide include:

• Fatigue
• Muscle cramps
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness

Rare side effects of using indapamide may include:

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Palpitations
• Fainting
• Tingling

8. Interactions

Indapamide tablet can interact with other drugs, such interaction can alter the effectiveness of the drug or increase the severity of side effects. The drugs or substances that should not be used with indapamide include:

1. Loop diuretics: if these drugs are used with indapamide there will be a risk of salt imbalance in the blood.
2. Lithium: indapamide will increase the blood levels of lithium, if they are used together.
3. Anti-arrhythmic and digitalis drugs: use of indapamide causes loss of potassium, which may lead to toxicity with these drugs.