Indapamide is generally safe for adults aged 18 and over, but there are certain individuals who should avoid taking it. Before starting indapamide, it’s important to inform your doctor if you have ever experienced an allergic reaction to indapamide or any other medication, if you are trying to conceive, pregnant, or breastfeeding, if you have liver or kidney disease, if you have imbalanced levels of potassium, sodium, or calcium in your blood, if you have gout, diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, heart rhythm problems, underactive adrenal glands (Addison’s disease), or if you have the rare disease porphyria. This comprehensive information allows your doctor to determine whether indapamide is safe for you and whether any adjustments to your treatment plan are necessary.

Indapamide is available in 2.5mg standard tablets. The typical dosage for treating heart failure ranges from 2.5mg to 5mg once daily in standard tablets, while for high blood pressure, it’s usually 2.5mg once daily in standard tablets. It’s advisable to take indapamide in the morning to minimise nocturnal bathroom visits. The tablets should be swallowed whole with water, with or without food. Avoid crushing or chewing slow-release tablets to maintain their effectiveness. Typically, indapamide needs to be taken long-term, possibly for life, like other medications for high blood pressure or heart failure. It’s essential to continue taking the medication even if feeling well, as stopping it could lead to an increase in blood pressure, thereby heightening the risk of heart attack and stroke. If experiencing bothersome side effects, consulting with a doctor may help find a suitable alternative medication.

Common side effects of indapamide, occurring in more than 1 in 100 people, include mild skin rash, nausea, or vomiting, and feeling dizzy or faint. If experiencing these side effects, there are measures you can take to alleviate them. However, if they persist or become bothersome, it’s advisable to seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Serious side effects are rare, occurring in less than 1 in 1,000 people. These may include irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or severe abdominal pain accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, high temperature, and tenderness or swelling of the stomach, which could indicate pancreatitis. Other serious side effects may involve symptoms suggestive of liver disease, such as yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, pale stools, tiredness, and loss of appetite. In rare cases, indapamide may induce a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. If experiencing any of these serious side effects, it’s crucial to contact your doctor immediately or call 111 for medical assistance.

indapamide is not typically recommended during pregnancy . If you’re trying to conceive or already pregnant, it’s essential to consult your doctor regarding alternative medications that are considered safer for use during pregnancy. Although indapamide is not expected to cause harm to your baby, it may decrease the amount of breast milk produced while breastfeeding. While the extent of indapamide passing into breast milk is unknown, discussing with your doctor or pharmacist about alternative medications suitable for breastfeeding is advisable. If indapamide is necessary while breastfeeding, your doctor or midwife will monitor your baby’s weight closely. Should you observe any changes in your baby’s feeding patterns or have concerns, it’s important to promptly seek advice from your health visitor, midwife, pharmacist, or doctor. Regarding fertility, there is no evidence suggesting that indapamide affects fertility in men or women. However, if attempting to conceive, it’s prudent to consult with your doctor as indapamide is typically not recommended during pregnancy .

Some medications may impact the effectiveness of indapamide. It’s important to inform your doctor if you are taking any of these medications before starting indapamide: medications for irregular heartbeat (palpitations) such as amiodarone, digoxin, or sotalol; other blood pressure medications like ACE inhibitors  angiotensin receptor blockers, or calcium channel blockers medications that lower blood pressure like baclofen, levodopa, or clonidine; drugs used to manage mental health conditions including lithium, amitriptyline, or haloperidol; medications that can deplete potassium levels such as steroids, laxatives, or other diuretics; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen; and calcium supplements or tablets. It’s important to note that some painkillers, such as soluble paracetamol and soluble co-codamol, contain a high amount of sodium, which can interfere with indapamide’s effectiveness. Consult with a pharmacist or doctor to determine the safety of taking these medications alongside indapamide. Additionally, inform your doctor if you are taking potassium supplements or remedies for heartburn and indigestion, as these may also impact potassium levels and sodium intake, affecting indapamide’s efficacy. While there’s insufficient information to determine the safety of combining indapamide with herbal remedies and supplements, it’s essential to disclose their usage to your doctor, as they are not subjected to the same rigorous testing as pharmaceutical medications and may interact with indapamide in unknown ways.