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Diabetes Medications and New Drugs
Indapamide (NatrilixR)
- What is indapamide?
- Is there any benefit over the other Thiazide diuretics?
- Is it effective?
- What are the side effects?
- What preparations are available?
- What is the recommended dose?
What is indapamide?
Indapamide is a diuretic (‘water tablet’) which is chemically related to the Thiazide diuretics (e.g. Bendroflumethiazide and Chorthalidone). It is used in the treatment of high blood pressure.
Is there any benefit over the other Thiazide diuretics?
Indapamide is thought to cause less metabolic disturbance and may have less of a tendency to aggravate diabetes.
Is it effective?
Yes, a recent study reported in the Journal of hypertension compared the antihypertensive effect of 1.5 mg of indapamide SR with Candesartan (8mg) and Amlodipine (5mg). Indapamide was found to have similar efficacy to the other agents.
What are the side effects?
- May cause a fall in potassium concentrations in the blood
- Dizziness and fatigue have been reported
- Rashes
What preparations are available?
- Tablets – 2.5mg
- Natrilix SR – modified release preparation contains 1.5 mg indapamide
- A tablet which combines Indapamide with an ACE inhibitor is also available (CoversylPlusR which consists of Perindopril 4mg combined with Indapamide 1.25 mg)
What is the recommended dose?
Dose in hypertension - 1 tablet daily, taken in the morning.
November 2004
Dr Nishan Wijenaike
Consultant Diabetologist