Irbesartan
Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Irbesartan is an ARB with strong evidence from the IDNT and IRMA-2 trials for nephroprotection in type 2 diabetes. It provides effective 24-hour blood pressure control with once-daily dosing and does not require dose adjustment for renal impairment.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Irbesartan is an ARB with strong evidence from the IDNT and IRMA-2 trials for nephroprotection in type 2 diabetes. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is 75–300 mg once daily (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. With long-term use it can deplete zinc. This profile indexes 10 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: effective 24-hour blood pressure reduction, slows progression of diabetic nephropathy (idnt trial), prevents microalbuminuria progression to macroalbuminuria (irma-2). 10 sources indexed (2005–2024), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Selectively antagonizes the AT1 receptor, blocking the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II. Does not inhibit ACE or affect bradykinin metabolism. Provides sustained receptor blockade due to slow dissociation from the AT1 receptor.6
Dosing & protocol.
Can be taken with or without food; food does not significantly affect bioavailability8
What it depletes.
Nutrients this medication can lower over time, and what to replace.
Zinc
MildARB therapy can modestly increase urinary zinc losses in some users, though typically less than ACE inhibitors.
Full safety detail.
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
3- 1Safety and efficacy of sparsentan versus irbesartan in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and IgA nephropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPMIDElnaga AAA, Alsaied MA, Elettreby AM et al. · BMC nephrology · 2024
Elnaga AAA, Alsaied MA, Elettreby AM et al.. Safety and efficacy of sparsentan versus irbesartan in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and IgA nephropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC nephrology. 2024
- 2Therapeutic Efficacy of Piperazine Ferulate Combined With Irbesartan in Diabetic Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysisPMIDLi D, Li B, Peng LX et al. · Clinical therapeutics · 2020
Li D, Li B, Peng LX et al.. Therapeutic Efficacy of Piperazine Ferulate Combined With Irbesartan in Diabetic Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Clinical therapeutics. 2020
- 3Cost-effectiveness of irbesartan in diabetic nephropathy: a systematic review of published studiesPMIDPalmer AJ, Tucker DM, Valentine WJ et al. · Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association · 2005
Palmer AJ, Tucker DM, Valentine WJ et al.. Cost-effectiveness of irbesartan in diabetic nephropathy: a systematic review of published studies. Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association. 2005
Randomized controlled trials
2- 4Efficacy of Combined Abelmoschus manihot and Irbesartan for Reduction of Albuminuria in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Multicenter Randomized Double-Blind Parallel Controlled Clinical TrialPMIDZhao J, Tostivint I, Xu L et al. · Diabetes care · 2022
Zhao J, Tostivint I, Xu L et al.. Efficacy of Combined Abelmoschus manihot and Irbesartan for Reduction of Albuminuria in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Multicenter Randomized Double-Blind Parallel Controlled Clinical Trial. Diabetes care. 2022
- 5Irbesartan in Marfan syndrome (AIMS): a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trialPMIDMullen M, Jin XY, Child A et al. · Lancet (London, England) · 2019
Mullen M, Jin XY, Child A et al.. Irbesartan in Marfan syndrome (AIMS): a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial. Lancet (London, England). 2019
Reference material
5- 6Lewis EJ et al. Renoprotective effect of the angiotensin-receptor antagonist irbesartan in patients with nephropathy due to type 2 diabetes (IDNT). N Engl J Med. 2001.Source linkedPMID
- 7Parving HH et al. The effect of irbesartan on the development of diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes (IRMA-2). N Engl J Med. 2001.Source linkedPMID
- 8Karavadra B et al. A systematic review of commencing full-dose antihypertensives in newly diagnosed hypertension. Blood Press. 2025.Source linkedPMID
- 9Rovin BH, Barratt J, Heerspink HJL et al.. Efficacy and safety of sparsentan versus irbesartan in patients with IgA nephropathy (PROTECT): 2-year results from a randomised, active-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet (London, England). 2023Source linkedPMID
- 10Rheault MN, Alpers CE, Barratt J et al.. Sparsentan versus Irbesartan in Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis. The New England journal of medicine. 2023Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Irbesartan, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Irbesartan?
Irbesartan is an ARB with strong evidence from the IDNT and IRMA-2 trials for nephroprotection in type 2 diabetes. It provides effective 24-hour blood pressure control with once-daily dosing and does not require dose adjustment for renal impairment.
What is Irbesartan used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Irbesartan include: Effective 24-hour blood pressure reduction; Slows progression of diabetic nephropathy (IDNT trial); Prevents microalbuminuria progression to macroalbuminuria (IRMA-2); No dose adjustment needed for renal or hepatic impairment. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Irbesartan?
A typical adult dose of Irbesartan is 75–300 mg once daily (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Oral tablet. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Irbesartan?
Reported side effects include dizziness, hyperkalemia, hypotension, diarrhea, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Irbesartan?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Irbesartan in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.