Does Irbesartan Interact with Nifedipine?
Irbesartan and Nifedipine have a minor drug interaction according to U.S. FDA drug labeling data. In vitro studies suggest CYP 2C9 inhibition, but in clinical studies nifedipine showed no clinically significant effect on irbesartan pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics. The mechanism involves cyp 2c9 inhibition (in vitro only). Patients taking both medications should consult their healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of either drug. This information is based on official FDA drug labeling sourced from OpenFDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine.
- Severity
- Minor
- Irbesartan Class
- Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker
- Nifedipine Class
- Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker
- Management
- Generally manageable
- Data Source
- U.S. FDA via OpenFDA
How This Interaction Works
The interaction between Irbesartan and Nifedipine occurs because cyp 2c9 inhibition (in vitro only). Clinically, this means in vitro studies suggest cyp 2c9 inhibition, but in clinical studies nifedipine showed no clinically significant effect on irbesartan pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics. This is classified as a minor interaction with generally low clinical significance, though your healthcare provider should still be informed that you are taking both medications.
What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist
If you are taking Irbesartan and your doctor is considering prescribing Nifedipine (or vice versa), make sure to:
- Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
- Ask whether the benefits of combining these medications outweigh the risks for your specific situation
- Ask what symptoms to watch for that would indicate the interaction is causing problems
- Never stop or change either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider