Indapamide is a thiazide-like diuretic used mainly for high blood pressure. It is milder than furosemide and taken for the blood pressure benefit rather than to shift fluid, but it still affects the salts in your blood, which is why the blood tests matter.
Once daily in the morning, with or without food. Modified-release tablets are swallowed whole.
Morning dosing matters — taken later it will have you up in the night.
It can take several weeks to reach its full blood-pressure-lowering effect. Do not stop because readings have normalised.
Kidney function, sodium and potassium are checked before starting and periodically after. Low sodium and low potassium are the main things being looked for.
Report muscle cramps or weakness, unusual tiredness, confusion, an irregular heartbeat, or marked thirst with a dry mouth — these can indicate a salt imbalance.
Pause it during dehydrating illness — vomiting, diarrhoea, fever with heavy sweating — and ask for a sick day rules card.
Common side effects: dizziness on standing, headache, and increased urination early on.
Diuretics can trigger or worsen gout, and can raise blood sugar slightly.
Tell your prescriber about lithium, digoxin, anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, and other blood pressure medicines.
It also increases sun sensitivity in some people — use sun protection.
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