What is the peak time of irbesartan (angiotensin II receptor antagonist) after oral administration?

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Peak Time of Irbesartan After Oral Administration

Irbesartan reaches peak plasma concentrations at 1.5 to 2 hours after oral administration. 1

Pharmacokinetic Profile

  • Peak plasma levels (Tmax) occur at 1.5 to 2 hours following oral dosing in both healthy subjects and hypertensive patients 1, 2
  • The oral absorption is rapid and complete, with an average absolute bioavailability of 60% to 80% 1
  • Food does not affect the bioavailability or peak timing of irbesartan 1, 2

Peak Pharmacodynamic Effect vs. Peak Concentration

  • While peak plasma concentration occurs at 1.5 hours, the maximal blood pressure reduction occurs later, between 3 and 6 hours after dosing 2, 3
  • This temporal dissociation creates a clockwise hysteresis pattern, where peak antihypertensive effect lags behind peak drug concentration by approximately 2.5 hours 3
  • Complete inhibition (100%) of the pressor effect of angiotensin II occurs at 4 hours following oral doses of 150 mg or 300 mg 1

Clinical Implications

  • The rapid absorption with peak at 1.5-2 hours, combined with a terminal elimination half-life of 11 to 15 hours, allows for effective 24-hour blood pressure control with once-daily dosing 1, 2
  • Steady-state concentrations are achieved within 3 days of repeated once-daily dosing 1
  • Limited accumulation (<20%) occurs with repeated dosing and is not clinically relevant 1

References

Research

Human pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile of irbesartan: a new potent angiotensin II receptor antagonist.

Journal of hypertension. Supplement : official journal of the International Society of Hypertension, 1997

Research

Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of Irbesartan in Patients With Mild to Moderate Hypertension.

Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology and therapeutics, 1999

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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