Medicine Supply Notification: Irbesartan/ hydrochlorothiazide 150mg/12.5mg tablets – Update
Update: Resupply now expected to be early June 2021
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a Medicine Supply Notification (MSN) for Irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide 150mg/12.5mg tablets
MSN/2021/014
Tier 2 – medium impact
Date of issue: 18/03/2021
- Irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide 150mg/12.5mg tablets are out of stock until early May 2021
- Irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide 300mg/12.5mg tablets are out of stock from mid-May until early June 2021.
- Irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide 300mg/25mg tablets are unscored oval shaped tablets and not suitable for halving.
- Of the separate components, only irbesartan 150mg tablets are available (hydrochlorothiazide tablets were discontinued many years ago) and can support an uplift in demand.
- An alternative thiazide diuretic, bendroflumethiazide 2.5mg, is available and can support an uplift in demand.
- A switch to separate components but using bendroflumethiazide in place of hydrochlorothiazide, is an option for patients who run out of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide 150mg/12.5mg tablets.
Further details, including alternative preparations can be found in the MSN which will have been emailed to community pharmacy teams nhs.net shared mail box directly.
The DHSC Medicine Supply Team provide a monthly update on potential supply issues affecting both primary and secondary care. This update is uploaded on the Specialist Pharmacy Services (SPS) website. To register, you will need an NHS email address. Once set up and logged in, you will be able to access it online.
New shortages not listed on the SPS website, can be reported using our shortage reporting tool.
