Indapamide Tablets

Treating high blood pressure consistently is one of the most important things you can do to protect your heart, kidneys, and brain over time. Indapamide tablets are a prescription medicine used in adults to lower blood pressure as part of antihypertensive medication treatment. Indapamide belongs to the thiazide-like diuretic class and is a well-established medicine in cardiovascular therapy. It is available in two formulations: a standard 2.5 mg tablet and a 1.5 mg modified-release tablet. A prescription can only be issued following a clinical consultation.

Indapamide tablets are an oral prescription medicine containing indapamide as the active ingredient. Indapamide is classified as a thiazide-like diuretic, meaning it works in a similar way to thiazide diuretics such as bendroflumethiazide, though it has structural differences and is considered to have a more selective vascular action at lower doses.

Indapamide is licensed in the UK for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) in adults. It is not indicated for the treatment of oedema in the same way as loop diuretics such as furosemide. Its primary action in hypertension is through its effect on blood vessel tone, though it also has a mild diuretic effect that contributes to BP regulation.

Two formulations are available through this service. Indapamide 2.5 mg standard tablets are taken once daily and release their dose immediately on contact with stomach fluid. Indapamide 1.5 mg modified-release (MR) tablets are also taken once daily but release the active ingredient more slowly over time, providing a sustained blood pressure lowering effect throughout the 24-hour period. Both formulations have the same licensed indication. Your prescriber will determine which formulation is appropriate for you.

Indapamide works through two complementary mechanisms to lower blood pressure. Understanding these can help you feel confident about your treatment.

Vasodilatory Action

At the doses used clinically, indapamide has a direct relaxing effect on the smooth muscle in blood vessel walls. This causes the blood vessels to widen (vasodilate), reducing the resistance against which the heart must pump. This fall in peripheral vascular resistance is considered the primary mechanism by which indapamide lowers blood pressure at standard therapeutic doses. This action is independent of its diuretic effect.

Mild Diuretic Effect

Indapamide also has a mild diuretic effect. Like thiazide diuretics, it acts on the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney, reducing the reabsorption of sodium and water. This leads to a modest increase in urine production and a small reduction in circulating fluid volume, which contributes further to blood pressure lowering. This diuretic effect is milder than that of loop diuretics such as furosemide.

The combination of vasodilation and mild diuresis makes indapamide an effective and well tolerated antihypertensive for many adults. Blood pressure control is achieved gradually with consistent daily use, and the full effect typically develops over several weeks of treatment.

Always take indapamide exactly as your prescriber instructs. The information below summarises key points from the current UK SmPC. Read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine before starting treatment.

• Take one tablet once daily, preferably in the morning.
• Both the 2.5 mg standard tablet and the 1.5 mg modified-release tablet are taken once daily. Do not take both formulations at the same time.
• Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break the modified-release tablet, as this destroys the controlled-release mechanism and may result in too much of the medicine being absorbed too quickly.
• Indapamide can be taken with or without food.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. If you only remember the following day, skip the missed dose and continue with your normal schedule. Do not take two doses on the same day.
• Do not stop taking indapamide without speaking to your prescriber first. Blood pressure often has no symptoms, and stopping treatment can allow it to rise again.
• Your prescriber may arrange blood tests to check your kidney function and electrolyte levels periodically during treatment, particularly in the early months. This is standard practice for diuretic-class medicines and is important for your safety. Attend any monitoring appointments your prescriber recommends.

Indapamide is available in two formulations and strengths. Both are taken once daily and have the same licensed indication. The choice between them is a clinical decision made by your prescriber.

Indapamide 2.5 mg Standard Tablets

Indapamide 2.5 mg is the standard immediate-release formulation. Each tablet contains 2.5 mg of indapamide and releases the full dose on ingestion. This formulation has a long-established record of use for hypertension treatment in adults. It is often the first formulation encountered when indapamide is prescribed, and it is the dose referred to in older prescribing literature and NICE guidance for thiazide-like diuretics in hypertension.

Indapamide 1.5 mg Modified-Release Tablets

Indapamide 1.5 mg MR tablets contain a lower dose of the active ingredient but release it gradually throughout the day using a modified-release matrix. Despite the lower total dose, the modified-release formulation delivers comparable blood pressure control to the 2.5 mg standard tablet by maintaining a more consistent plasma concentration over 24 hours. This smoother drug delivery profile may be associated with a lower incidence of metabolic side effects such as electrolyte disturbances in some patients, though clinical decisions should always be based on individual prescriber assessment.

The dose of indapamide is fixed at one tablet once daily for both formulations. There is no dose titration or escalation schedule, unlike some other antihypertensive medicines. If indapamide alone does not achieve adequate blood pressure control, your prescriber may add a second antihypertensive medicine rather than increasing the indapamide dose. Do not take more than one tablet per day of either formulation without medical advice.

Like all medicines, indapamide can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. The information below is based on the current UK SmPC. Refer to the Patient Information Leaflet for the full list of side effects.

Common Side Effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Low potassium levels (hypokalaemia), which may cause muscle cramps, weakness, or fatigue. Blood tests are used to monitor this.
• Skin reactions such as rash or itching in susceptible individuals, particularly those with a tendency to allergic skin conditions

Uncommon Side Effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• Nausea, vomiting, or constipation
• Dizziness or lightheadedness, particularly on standing
• Low sodium levels (hyponatraemia), which can cause fatigue, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures
• Raised blood uric acid, which may trigger gout in susceptible patients
• Raised blood glucose, which may be relevant in patients with or at risk of diabetes

Rare Side Effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

• Changes in liver function tests. Patients with severe liver disease should not take indapamide.
• Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight (photosensitivity). Protect your skin in strong sunlight while taking this medicine.

Serious Side Effects: Seek Urgent Medical Attention

Contact your prescriber or go to your nearest accident and emergency department promptly if you experience any of the following:

• Signs of a severe allergic reaction such as sudden swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, or a severe skin reaction
• Signs of severe electrolyte disturbance such as significant muscle weakness, confusion, or an irregular heartbeat
• Signs of a severe skin reaction such as widespread blistering or peeling. Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported rarely with sulfonamide related medicines.

Report any suspected side effect to your prescriber, pharmacist, or via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.

Indapamide Tablets May Be Suitable If You:

• Are an adult aged 18 or over with a confirmed diagnosis of hypertension
• Require antihypertensive medication as part of your cardiovascular therapy for blood pressure control
• Are already prescribed indapamide and require a repeat prescription through an online prescribing service

Indapamide Tablets Are Not Suitable If You:

• Have severe kidney impairment. Indapamide is contraindicated in patients with severe renal failure (creatinine clearance below 30 ml/min).
• Have severe liver disease or hepatic encephalopathy (the medicine is contraindicated in these conditions)
• Have uncorrected low potassium or low sodium levels
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Indapamide is generally not recommended during pregnancy. Contact your prescriber immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
• Are breastfeeding
• Have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to indapamide, other sulfonamide derived medicines, or any excipient listed in the SmPC
• Are under 18 years of age

Tell your prescriber about all medicines you take, including over the counter products and herbal supplements. The following interactions are of particular clinical importance:

• Lithium: indapamide can increase lithium blood levels, raising the risk of lithium toxicity. This combination requires close monitoring and is generally not recommended.
• Other medicines that can prolong the QT interval or cause low potassium, such as certain antiarrhythmic drugs and some antipsychotics. Combining these with indapamide can increase the risk of heart rhythm problems.
• NSAIDs such as ibuprofen: regular use of NSAIDs can reduce the blood pressure lowering effect of indapamide and may affect kidney function.
• Medicines that can also lower potassium, such as corticosteroids, laxatives used in excess, or other diuretics. Combined use can increase the risk of hypokalaemia.
• ACE inhibitors and ARBs: combining indapamide with these medicines is common practice in hypertension management, but the combination can increase the risk of low blood pressure and low sodium, particularly at the start of treatment.

Your prescriber will carry out a full clinical assessment, including a review of your current medicines, before any prescription is considered.

Indapamide is a Prescription Only Medicine. The clinical consultation is the essential first step. A prescription will only be issued if a registered prescriber concludes, based on their individual assessment of your circumstances, that indapamide is clinically appropriate for you.

During your online consultation with Pharmacy Planet, a registered prescriber will review the information you provide. This includes your blood pressure history, current medicines, kidney function, electrolyte levels if available, and any other relevant medical conditions. Based on this assessment, the prescriber will decide whether indapamide is the right medicine for you, which formulation is appropriate, or whether an alternative approach is more suitable.

Not all consultations will result in a prescription. The prescriber may request recent blood test results, or recommend an alternative medicine. This process is designed to protect your safety.

If you are already under the care of your GP or a cardiologist for hypertension management, please keep them informed of any medicines prescribed through online services. Consistent communication between all your healthcare providers supports the safest possible outcome for your BP regulation and cardiovascular health.

• Store below 25°C.
• Store in the original packaging to protect from moisture and light.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the packaging.
• Do not dispose of medicines via household waste or wastewater. Return unused or out of date tablets to your pharmacist for safe disposal.
• Full storage instructions are provided in the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine.

The table below compares diuretic tablets available at Pharmacy Planet. Diuretics lower blood pressure and reduce fluid retention by increasing urine production. Different classes of diuretic work at different sites in the kidney.

Important: This comparison is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. A prescriber will decide which treatment is suitable for you following an online consultation.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC-registered online pharmacy providing access to prescription medicines through a clinically led consultation process. Our registered prescribers and pharmacists are committed to patient safety, accurate information, and responsible prescribing.

We follow GPhC standards, MHRA guidance, and ASA advertising regulations in all aspects of our service. Every prescription is reviewed and dispensed by qualified healthcare professionals. Our aim is to provide the factual, balanced information you need to make informed decisions about your health and antihypertensive medication.

If you have questions about indapamide, blood pressure control, or any other aspect of your cardiovascular therapy, our pharmacy team is available to help. We are committed to transparent, patient centred care.

References

1. Electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC). Indapamide 2.5 mg tablets and Indapamide 1.5 mg modified-release tablets — Summary of Product Characteristics. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc. Accessed May 2026.
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Hypertension in adults: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline NG136. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng136. Accessed May 2026.
3. NHS. High blood pressure (hypertension). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension. Accessed May 2026.
4. Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary (BNF). Indapamide. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://bnf.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
5. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Yellow Card — report a side effect. https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed May 2026.