Dapa-Tabs general information

What is Dapa-Tabs used for?

Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg are used to help lower blood pressure in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension, which is high blood pressure when at rest with usually no obvious and identifiable cause.  Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg can either be used be alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medications and is usually the first medication to be tried before using a multi-drug regimen, in those whose blood pressure cannot be controlled by a single medication.  Although there are usually no other symptoms, essential hypertension increases risk of cardiovascular disease and if uncontrolled can cause kidney damage, stroke, heart attack and heart failure.  Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg help lower blood pressure to normal resting levels, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and end organ damage.  

How does Dapa-Tabs work?

Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg contain indapamide, a nonthiazide indole derivative of chlorosulfonamide belonging to the diuretic family of drugs, with similar actions to the diuretic chlorothiazide.  Indapamide in Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg is thought to have both diuretic and vasodilator activity.  The vasodilator action of indapamide in Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg is thought to work by reducing the reactivity of blood vessels to chemicals like noradrenaline that cause contraction of blood vessels.  This reduces peripheral resistance and, thereby, reduces blood pressure.  Indapamide in Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg has minimal effects on the kidney but does appear to have diuretic activity by acting on the proximal and distal convoluted tubule of the kidneys to promote the removal of salts (sodium and chloride ions) from the blood, but this does not increase urine volume.  Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg provide effective control of hypertension, particularly in combination with other antihypertensive medications.

What does Dapa-Tabs contain?

Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg contain the active ingredient indapamide hemihydrate, an antihypertensive used to lower high blood pressure.  They also contain sodium starch glycollate, magnesium stearate, cellulose – microcrystalline, lactose anhydrous, croscarmellose sodium, Opadry Pink OY6953

Treating hypertension with Dapa-Tabs

Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg contain indapamide, thought to have both diuretic and vasodilator activity that is used to help lower blood pressure in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension, which is high blood pressure when at rest with usually no obvious and identifiable cause.  Although there are usually no other symptoms, essential hypertension increases risk of cardiovascular disease and if uncontrolled can cause kidney damage, stroke, heart attack and heart failure.  The vasodilator action of indapamide in Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg is thought to work by reducing the reactivity of blood vessels to chemicals like noradrenaline that cause contraction of blood vessels, which reduces peripheral resistance.  As a diuretic, indapamide in Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg acts on the proximal and distal convoluted tubule of the kidneys to promote the removal of salts (sodium and chloride ions) from the blood, but this does not increase urine volume.  These combined action of indapamide in Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg provide effective control of hypertension, particularly in combination with other antihypertensive medications.

What are the side effects of Dapa-Tabs?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg include fatigue, headache, dizziness, rash, muscle cramps.  Hypersensitivity reaction is common in those with asthma or allergy.

When should Dapa-Tabs not be used?

You should not use Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg if you:

• are allergic to indapamide or other sulphonamides or any ingredients in Dapa-Tabs
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have low blood potassium levels
• have diabetes, the autoimmune disease Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or gout, without discussion with your doctor
• are taking medicines that interact with Dapa-Tabs including lithium for mood disorders, diuretics, other antihypertensive medicines, amiodarone for irregular heartbeat, antipsychotics like haloperidol and amisulpride, NSAIDs, baclofen for multiple sclerosis, allopurinol for gout, digoxin for heart failure, corticosteroids for allergy and inflammation, calcium supplements, metformin for diabetes, tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine, cyclosporin and tacrolimus for immune system problems

What medications interact with Dapa-Tabs?

Several medications interact with Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Dapa-Tabs or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Dapa-Tabs: lithium for mood disorders, other non-diuretic antihypertensive medicines can cause low blood pressure, other antihypertensive medicines, amiodarone for irregular heartbeat, antipsychotics like haloperidol and amisulpride, calcium supplements, metformin for diabetes, tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine, cyclosporin and tacrolimus for immune system problems
• Drugs that increase hypertensive effect: NSAIDs, baclofen for multiple sclerosis, allopurinol for gout, digoxin for heart failure, corticosteroids for allergy and inflammation, tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine
• Drugs that affect Dapa-Tabs: NSAIDs,
• Drugs that are affected by Dapa-Tabs: lithium for mood disorders,

How should Dapa-Tabs be taken?

You should take your Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg swallowed whole with a glass of water once daily in the morning at the same time each day, with or without food.  You should see an improvement within 4-6 weeks.  You should continue to take your Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be long term as Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg will help control your high blood pressure but will not cure your condition.

How long should you take Dapa-Tabs?

You should continue to take your Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be long term as Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg will help control your high blood pressure but will not cure your condition.

Missed dose of Dapa-Tabs

If you miss a dose of Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Dapa-Tabs be stored?

You should store your Dapa-Tabs tablets 2.5 mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.