Symptoms
Indapamide has been found to be free of toxicity up to 40 mg, i.e. 16 times the therapeutic dose.
Signs of acute poisoning take the form above all of water/electrolyte disturbances (hyponatraemia, hypokalaemia). Clinically, there is a possibility of nausea, vomiting, hypotension, cramps, vertigo, drowsiness, confusion, polyuria or oligouria possibly to the point of anuria (by hypovolaemia).
Management
Initial measures involve the rapid elimination of the ingested substance(s) by gastric washout and/or administration of activated charcoal, followed by restoration of water/electrolyte balance to normal in a specialised centre.
2 years
- Severe renal failure.
- Hepatic encephalopathy or severe impairment of liver function.
- Hypokalaemia.
Not applicable.
Tablet
Spray dried lactose
Microcrystalline cellulose
Magnesium stearate
Croscarmellose sodium (type A)
Film Coat
Hypromellose
Macrogol 400
Titanium dioxide
Film-coated tablet
Round, white, film-coated tablet with S6 stamped on one side
Summary of safety profile
The most commonly reported adverse reactions are hypersensitivity reactions, mainly dermatological, in subjects with a predisposition to allergic and asthmatic reactions and maculopapular rashes.
During clinical trials, hypokalaemia (plasma potassium <3.4 mmol/l) was seen in 25% of patients and <3.2 mmol/l in 10% of patients after 4 to 6 weeks treatment. After 12 weeks treatment, the mean fall in plasma potassium was 0.41 mmol/l.
The majority of adverse reactions concerning clinical or laboratory parameters are dose-dependent.
Tabulated summary of adverse reactions
The following undesirable effects have been observed with indapamide during treatment ranked under the following frequency:
Very common (> 1/10); common (> 1/100, < 1/10); uncommon (> 1/1000, < 1/100); rare (> 1/10,000 to < 1/1000), very rare (>1/100,000 to < 1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
|
MedDRA System Organ Class |
Frequency |
Undesirable Effects |
|
Blood and the lymphatic system disorders |
Very rare |
Agranulocytosis, aplastic anaemia, haemolytic anaemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia |
|
Metabolism and nutrition disorders |
Very rare |
Hypercalcaemia |
|
Not known |
Potassium depletion with hypokalaemia, particularly serious in certain high risk populations , hyponatraemia | |
|
Nervous system disorders |
Rare |
Vertigo, fatigue, headache, paraesthesia |
|
Not known |
Syncope | |
|
Eye disorders |
Not known |
Myopia, blurred vision, visual impairment |
|
Cardiac disorders |
Very rare |
Arrhythmia |
|
Now known |
Torsade de pointes (potentially fatal) | |
|
Vascular disorders |
Very rare |
Hypotension |
|
Gastrointestinal disorders |
Uncommon |
Vomiting |
|
Rare |
Nausea, constipation, dry mouth | |
|
Very rare |
Pancreatitis | |
|
Hepatobiliary disorders |
Very rare |
Abnormal hepatic function |
|
Not known |
Possibility of onset of hepatic encephalopathy in case of hepatic insufficiency , hepatitis | |
|
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders |
Common |
Hypersensitivity reactions, maculopapular rashes |
|
Uncommon |
Purpura | |
|
Very rare |
Angioedema, urticaria, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome | |
|
Not known |
Possible worsening of pre-existing acute disseminated lupus erythematosus, photosensitivity reactions | |
|
Renal and urinary disorders |
Very rare |
Renal failure |
|
Investigations |
Not known |
Electrocardiogram QT prolonged , blood glucose increased , blood uric acid increased , elevated liver enzyme levels |
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows the continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow card Scheme: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
Indapamide has been tested negative concerning mutagenic and carcinogenic properties.
The highest doses administered orally to different animal species (40 to 8000 times the therapeutic dose) have shown an exacerbation of the diuretic properties of indapimide. The major symptoms of poisoning during acute toxicity studies with indapamide administered intravenously or intraperitoneally were related to the pharmacological action of indapamide, i.e. bradypnoea and peripheral vasodilation.
Reproductive toxicity studies have not shown embryotoxicity and teratogenicity.
Fertility was not impaired either in male or in female rats.
For the treatment of essential hypertension in adults.
Pharmacotherapeutic group: sulfonamides, plain;
ATC code: C03 BA11.
Mechanism of action
Indapamide is a non-thiazide sulphonamide with an indole ring, belonging to the diuretic family. At the dose of 2.5 mg per day indapamide exerts a prolonged antihypertensive activity in hypertensive human subjects.
Pharmacodynamic effects
Dose-effect studies have demonstrated that, at the dose of 2.5 mg per day, the antihypertensive effect is maximal and the diuretic effect is of mild intensity.
.
At this antihypertensive dose of 2.5 mg per day, indapamide reduces vascular hyperactivity to noradrenaline in hypertensive patients and decreases total peripheral resistance and arteriolar resistance.
The implication of an extrarenal mechanism of action in the antihypertensive effect is demonstrated by maintenance of its antihypertensive efficacy in functionally anephric hypertensive patients.
The vascular mechanism of action of indapamide involves:
- a reduction in the contractility of vascular smooth muscle due to a modification of transmembrane ion exchanges, essentially calcium;
- vasodilation due to stimulation of the synthesis of prostaglandin PGE2 and the vasodilator and platelet antiaggregant prostacyclin PGI2;
- potentiation of the vasodilator action of bradykinin.
It has also been demonstrated that in the short-, medium- and long-term, in hypertensive patients, indapamide:
- reduces left ventricular hypertrophy;
- does not appear to alter lipid metabolism: triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol;
- does not appear to alter glucose metabolism, even in diabetic hypertensive patients. Normalisation of blood pressure and significant reduction in microalbuminuria have been observed after prolonged administration of indapamide in diabetic hypertensive subjects.
Lastly, the co-prescription of indapamide with other antihypertensives (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) results in an improved control of hypertension with an increased percentage of responders compared to that observed with single-agent therapy.
Absorption
Indapamide is rapidly and completely absorbed after oral administration. Peak blood levels are obtained after 1-2 hours.
Distribution
Indapamide is concentrated in the erythrocytes and is 79% bound to plasma protein and to erythrocytes. It is taken up by the vascular wall in smooth vascular muscle according to its high lipid solubility.
Metabolism
70% of a single oral dose is eliminated by the kidneys and 23% by the gastrointestinal tract. Indapamide is metabolised to a marked degree with 7% of the unchanged product found in the urine during the 48 hours following administration. Elimination half-life (β phase) of indapamide is approximately 15 - 18 hours.
03 November 2017
Indapamide 2.5 mg Tablets
Winthrop Pharmaceuticals UK Limited
One Onslow Street
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 4YS
United Kingdom
Trading as:
Winthrop Pharmaceuticals, PO Box 611, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4YS
Or
Zentiva, One Onslow Street, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4YS, UK
None.
White, opaque PVC (250 µm)/aluminium foil (20 µm) blister packs contained in cardboard cartons.
Pack sizes: 28, 30, 56, 60.
PL 17780/0111
Pregnancy
There are no or limited amount of data (less than 300 pregnancy outcomes) from the use of indapamide in pregnant women. Prolonged exposure to thiazide during the third trimester of pregnancy can reduce maternal plasma volume as well as uteroplacental blood flow, which may cause a foeto-placental ischaemia and growth retardation.
Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity.
As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of indapamide during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
There is insufficient information on the excretion of indapamide/metabolites in human milk. Hypersensitivity to sulfonamide-derived medicines and hypokalaemia might occur. A risk to the newborns/infants cannot be excluded.
Indapamide is closely related to thiazide diuretics which have been associated, during breast-feeding, with decreased or even suppression of milk lactation.
Indapamide should not be used during breast-feeding.
Fertility
Reproductive toxicity studies showed no effect on fertility in female and male rats. No effects on human fertility are anticipated.
Each tablet contains 2.5 mg indapamide hemihydrate.
Each tablet contains 103.1 mg of spray dried lactose
Special warnings
When liver function is impaired, thiazide-related diuretics may cause hepatic encephalopathy, particularly in case of electrolyte imbalance. Administration of the diuretic must be stopped immediately if this occurs.
Photosensitivity
Cases of photosensitivity reactions have been reported with thiazides and thiazide-related diuretics. 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.
Excipients
Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.
Special precautions for use
Water and electrolyte balance
- Plasma sodium
This must be measured before starting treatment, then at regular intervals subsequently. The fall in plasma sodium may be asymptomatic initially and regular monitoring is therefore essential and should be even more frequent in the elderly and cirrhotic patients. Any diuretic treatment may cause hyponatraemia, sometimes with very serious consequences. Hyponatraemia with hypovolaemia may be responsible for dehydration and orthostatic hypotension. Concomitant loss of chloride ions may lead to secondary compensatory metabolic alkalosis: the incidence and degree of this effect are slight.
- Plasma potassium
Potassium depletion with hypokalaemia is the major risk of thiazide and related diuretics. The risk of onset of hypokalaemia (< 3.4 mmol/L) must be prevented in certain high risk populations, i.e. the elderly, malnourished and/or polymedicated, cirrhotic patients with oedema and ascites, coronary artery disease and cardiac failure patients. In this situation, hypokalaemia increases the cardiac toxicity of digitalis preparations and the risks of arrhythmias.
Individuals with a long QT interval are also at risk, whether the origin is congenital or iatrogenic. Hypokalaemia, as well as bradycardia, is then a predisposing factor to the onset of severe arrhythmias, in particular, potentially fatal torsades de pointes.
More frequent monitoring of plasma potassium is required in all the situations indicated above. The first measurement of plasma potassium should be obtained during the first week following the start of treatment.
Detection of hypokalaemia requires its correction.
- Plasma calcium
Thiazide and related diuretics may decrease urinary calcium excretion and cause a slight and transitory rise in plasma calcium. Frank hypercalcaemia may be due to previously unrecognised hyperparathyroidism.
Treatment should be withdrawn before the investigation of parathyroid function.
Blood glucose
Monitoring of blood glucose is important in diabetics, in particular in the presence of hypokalaemia.
Uric acid
Tendency to gout attacks may be increased in hyperuricaemic patients.
Renal function and diuretics
Thiazide and related diuretics are fully effective only when renal function is normal or only minimally impaired (plasma creatinine below levels of the order of 25 mg/L, i.e. 220 µmol/L in an adult). In the elderly, this plasma creatinine must be adjusted in relation to age, weight and gender.
Hypovolaemia, secondary to the loss of water and sodium induced by the diuretic at the start of treatment causes a reduction in glomerular filtration. This may lead to an increase in blood urea and plasma creatinine. This transitory functional renal insufficiency is of no consequence in individuals with normal renal function but may worsen pre-existing renal insufficiency.
Athletes
The attention of athletes is drawn to the fact that this medicinal product contains a drug substance, which may give a positive reaction in doping tests.
Indapamide does not affect vigilance but different reactions in relation with the decrease in blood pressure may occur in individual cases, especially at the start of the treatment or when another antihypertensive agent is added.
As a result, the ability to drive vehicles or to operate machinery may be impaired.
Posology
Adults
The dosage is one tablet, containing 2.5 mg indapamide hemihydrate, daily, to be taken in the morning.
The action of indapamide is progressive and the reduction in blood pressure may continue and not reach a maximum until several months after the start of therapy. A larger dose than 2.5 mg indapamide daily is not recommended as there is no appreciable additional antihypertensive effect but a diuretic effect may become apparent. If a single daily tablet of indapamide does not achieve a sufficient reduction in blood pressure, another antihypertensive agent may be added; those which have been used in combination with indapamide include beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, methyldopa, clonidine and other adrenergic blocking agents. The co-administration of indapamide with diuretics which may cause hypokalaemia is not recommended.
There is no evidence of rebound hypertension on withdrawal of indapamide.
Special populations
Patients with renal impairment
In severe renal failure (creatinine clearance below 30 ml/min), treatment is contraindicated.
Thiazide and related diuretics are fully effective only when renal function is normal or only minimally impaired.
Patients with hepatic impairment
In severe hepatic impairment, treatment is contraindicated.
Elderly
As for adults.
In the elderly, the plasma creatinine must be adjusted in relation to age, weight and gender. Elderly patients can be treated with indapamide when renal function is normal or only minimally impaired.
Paediatric populations
Indapamide is not recommended for use in children and adolescents due to a lack of data on safety and efficacy.
Method of administration
Indapamide tablets are for oral administration only.
Not applicable.
28 March 2006
Combinations that are not recommended
Lithium
Increased plasma lithium with signs of overdosage, as with a salt-free diet (decreased urinary lithium excretion). However, if the use of diuretics is necessary, careful monitoring of plasma lithium and dose adjustment are required.
Combinations requiring precautions for use
Torsades de pointes-inducing drugs
- class Ia antiarrhythmics (quinidine, hydroquinidine, disopyramide),
- class III antiarrhythmics (amiodarone, sotalol, dofetilide, ibutilide),
- some antipsychotics :
phenothiazines (chlorpromazine, cyamemazine, levomepromazine, thioridazine, trifluoperazine),
benzamides (amisulpride, sulpiride, sultopride, tiapride),
butyrophenones (droperidol, haloperidol)
others: bepridil, cisapride, diphemanil, erythromycin IV, halofantrine, mizolastine, pentamidine, sparfloxacin, moxifloxacin, vincamine IV.
Increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias, particularly torsades de pointes (hypokalaemia is a risk factor).
Monitor for hypokalaemia and correct, if required, before introducing this combination. Clinical, plasma electrolytes and ECG monitoring.
Use substances which do not have the disadvantage of causing torsades de pointes in the presence of hypokalaemia.
N.S.A.I.Ds (systemic route) including COX-2 selective inhibitors, high dose salicylic acid (> 3 g/day)
Possible reduction in the antihypertensive effect of indapamide.
Risk of acute renal failure in dehydrated patients (decreased glomerular filtration). Hydrate the patient; monitor renal function at the start of treatment.
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Risk of sudden hypotension and/or acute renal failure when treatment with an ACE inhibitor is initiated in the presence of pre-existing sodium depletion (particularly in patients with renal artery stenosis).
In hypertension, when prior diuretic treatment may have caused sodium depletion, it is necessary:
- either to stop the diuretic 3 days before starting treatment with the ACE inhibitor and restart a hypokalaemic diuretic if necessary;
- or give low initial doses of the ACE inhibitor and increase the dose gradually.
In congestive heart failure, start with a very low dose of ACE inhibitor, possibly after a reduction in the dose of the concomitant hypokalaemic diuretic.
In all cases, monitor renal function (plasma creatinine) during the first weeks of treatment with an ACE inhibitor.
Other compounds causing hypokalaemia: amphotericin B (IV), gluco- and mineralo-corticoids (systemic route), tetracosactide, stimulant laxatives
Increased risk of hypokalaemia (additive effect).
Monitoring of plasma potassium and correction if required. Must be particularly borne in mind in case of concomitant digitalis treatment. Use non-stimulant laxatives.
Baclofen
Increased antihypertensive effect.
Hydrate the patient; monitor renal function at the start of treatment.
Digitalis preparations
Hypokalaemia predisposing to the toxic effects of digitalis.
Monitoring of plasma potassium and ECG and, if necessary, adjust the treatment.
Combinations to be taken into consideration
Potassium-sparing diuretics (amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene)
Whilst rational combinations are useful in some patients, hypokalaemia or hyperkalaemia particularly in patients with renal failure or diabetes may still occur. Plasma potassium and ECG should be monitored and, if necessary, treatment reviewed.
Metformin
Increased risk of metformin induced lactic acidosis due to the possibility of functional renal failure associated with diuretics and more particularly with loop diuretics. Do not use metformin when plasma creatinine exceeds 15 mg/l (135 µmol/L) in men and 12 mg/L (110 µmol/L) in women.
Iodinated contrast media
In the presence of dehydration caused by diuretics, increased risk of acute renal failure, in particular when large doses of iodinated contrast media are used.
Rehydration before administration of the iodinated compound.
Imipramine-like antidepressants, neuroleptics
Antihypertensive effect and increased risk of orthostatic hypotension increased (additive effect).
Calcium (salts)
Risk of hypercalcaemia resulting from decreased urinary elimination of calcium.
Ciclosporin, tacrolimus
Risk of increased plasma creatinine without any change in circulating ciclosporin levels, even in the absence of water/sodium depletion.
Corticosteroids, tetracosactide (systemic route)
Decreased antihypertensive effect (water/sodium retention due to corticosteroids).
