Аквафор

Quick links to important sections

Аквафор

Treatment option: Ascites, Hypertension, Renal Failure

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Аквафор

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active Ingredient Xipamide
Form Tablets (for oral use)
Pharmacological Class Thiazide-like Diuretic, Antihypertensive Agent
Common Use Management of fluid retention (Oedema) and high blood pressure (Hypertension)
Origin Synthetic Organic Compound

The Identity of Аквафор: Definition and Active Ingredient

Аквафор is a commercially recognized trade name for a prescription-only medication whose entire therapeutic effect is provided by the single active ingredient, Xipamide. This substance is a synthetic organic compound derived from the sulfonamide chemical class, supplied in tablet form and intended exclusively for oral administration. The chemical structure of the drug is formally documented. The use of Xipamide has been clinically recognized for its efficacy in controlling volume overload.

Pharmacological Classification and Differentiation

Аквафор belongs to the high-level pharmacological class of diuretics—agents that promote urine output—and is utilized as an antihypertensive agent. More specifically, it is categorized as a thiazide-like diuretic, which chemically classifies it as a sulfamoylbenzamide analog. This distinction is relevant because Xipamide has demonstrated reliable action even in cases where kidney function shows moderate compromise. This profile offers a specific therapeutic advantage in certain patient groups compared to standard thiazide agents.

General Therapeutic Purpose and Action

The general purpose of Аквафор is the sustained management of the body’s total fluid volume. It achieves this by facilitating the kidney's excretion of salts, primarily sodium and chloride, a process known as promoting natriuresis. This volume-regulating action is the basis for its application in two core areas: alleviating swelling and fluid buildup associated with oedema, and providing foundational support for the long-term control of elevated blood pressure (hypertension).

Regulatory References

  1. UK regulatory product information

What side effects are possible with Аквафор?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Аквафор (Xipamide) is defined by its effects on the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance, which forms the basis for the majority of adverse reactions documented in official regulatory labeling. These classifications reflect how government regulatory documents categorize the medicine’s risk profile.

Frequency of Adverse Reactions

The most frequent reaction documented is Hypokalaemia (decreased potassium in the blood), which is classified as Very Common (occurring in greater than 1 in 10 patients).

Common reactions (occurring in greater than 1 in 100 patients) include Hyponatraemia (decreased sodium in the blood), Orthostatic Hypotension (dizziness upon standing), and increases in blood levels of Uric Acid, Creatinine, and Urea. Gastrointestinal effects like Nausea and neurological effects such as Headache are also commonly listed. Uncommon reactions include allergic skin reactions and changes in blood lipids (Hyperlipidaemia).

Serious Adverse Reactions and Systemic Effects

The medicine is associated with rare, but serious, documented adverse events (occurring in less than 1 in 10,000 patients) that include Haemorrhagic Pancreatitis and Acute Interstitial Nephritis. Consequences of severe electrolyte imbalance, such as Cardiac Arrhythmias, are also officially noted risks.

Adverse effects are documented across several systems, including Metabolism and nutrition disorders, Vascular disorders, Nervous system disorders, and Cardiac disorders.

Safety Constraints and Considerations

The official safety information includes constraints regarding pre-existing conditions. The use of Xipamide is generally restricted in individuals with severe hepatic impairment (severe liver failure). Patients with a history of Gout are noted to be at risk of an acute attack due to the common increase in uric acid levels. Furthermore, the label specifies that the risk of certain effects, such as hypotension, may be more pronounced at the start of treatment and mandates the regular monitoring of key electrolytes throughout the course of therapy.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

An overdose of Аквафор (Xipamide) is officially defined by the severe physiological consequences of its excessive diuretic effect. This state is characterized primarily by profound volume and electrolyte depletion, which necessitates immediate medical intervention.

Documented Overdose Manifestations

Manifestations center on fluid and mineral deficits, including severe hypotension (low blood pressure) and dehydration. Critical electrolyte imbalances, notably hypokalemia (low potassium) and hyponatremia (low sodium), lead to symptoms such as lethargy, muscle weakness, cramps, and diminished reflexes.

Severe Outcomes and Regulatory Mandates

Overdose carries a risk of life-threatening systemic instability. Severe hypokalemia may lead to cardiac arrhythmias, and profound volume loss can result in acute functional kidney impairment (prerenal azotemia). Official regulatory guidance mandates that patients or caregivers seek immediate medical attention or contact emergency services when an overdose is suspected or severe symptoms are present.

Supportive Management

No specific antidote is documented in the official prescribing information. Management is exclusively symptomatic and supportive, focusing on the clinical correction of severe volume depletion and critical electrolyte deficits. Regulatory documents note that the elderly population faces an increased risk of acute kidney impairment and severe electrolyte disturbances during high exposure.

Therapeutic Uses of Аквафор

The therapeutic application of Аквафор (Xipamide) is centered on controlling the body's fluid volume and systemic pressure, providing supportive management in chronic conditions. The drug is generally recognized as both an Antihypertensive Agent and a Diuretic. The medication may assist in addressing two primary symptomatic domains.


Management of Chronic High Blood Pressure

This domain covers the use of the medicine for essential hypertension, particularly in mild to moderate chronic states. In situations where elevated arterial pressure is present, the medication is used for managing long-term pressure control. This sustained pressure management is a therapeutic benefit that contributes to cardiovascular health and assists with maintaining functional stability.


Relief from Excessive Fluid Accumulation (Oedema)

This domain focuses on the treatment of oedema, which is the symptomatic presentation of fluid and salt retention. This includes the management of symptoms related to physical discomfort and visible swelling in the limbs and the management of internal fluid buildup, such as ascites linked to conditions where functional stability becomes affected. The medication may provide supportive relief that contributes to easing the overall symptom load of persistent fluid-related manifestations and supports general well-being during symptomatic phases.


Quick Facts: Therapeutic Focus

Property Description
Primary Therapeutic Domains Supportive management of systemic pressure and fluid volume homeostasis.
Symptoms Addressed Symptoms related to systemic imbalance, including persistent visible swelling and elevated arterial pressure.
Use Context Applied in chronic conditions involving recurrent or episodic fluid accumulation and long-term pressure control.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Eligibility and Restrictions for Аквафор (Xipamide)

Eligibility for using Аквафор is determined by regulatory bodies based on the patient's population group and pre-existing medical conditions, as defined in official prescribing information. The medicine is formally approved for use in Adults for licensed indications.

Population Status Regulatory Classification (Based on Official Labels)
Contraindicated Patients with known hypersensitivity to Xipamide or sulfonamide-derived drugs; those with Anuria (no urine production); Severe Hepatic Impairment (including hepatic coma); Severe, uncorrected electrolyte imbalances; or an acute attack of Gout
Use Not Recommended Paediatric Population (Children and Adolescents), as safety and efficacy are not established. Pregnancy and Lactation (Breastfeeding) are also formally contraindicated/not recommended.
Use with Caution Older Adults (requiring close monitoring for electrolyte disturbances). Patients with Severe Renal Impairment or a predisposition to Gout.

Regulatory documentation establishes that use is prohibited in these contraindicated groups. For all populations where data is insufficient, such as the paediatric group, use is formally not recommended.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

This section outlines the clinically relevant interaction patterns for Аквафор (Xipamide) as officially documented in government regulatory sources.


Exposure-Modifying Interaction

Co-administration with Lithium is officially designated as Not Recommended. Xipamide is documented to reduce the renal clearance of lithium, which leads to a significant increase in the plasma concentration of lithium and carries a high risk of intoxication.


Pharmacodynamic Interactions

Interacting Substance Class Officially Documented Interaction Pattern
Other Antihypertensive Agents Results in an **additive hypotensive effect**, which heightens the overall blood pressure-lowering response.
NSAIDs and High-Dose Salicylates Can **reduce the antihypertensive and diuretic effects** of Xipamide. High-dose salicylates also carry a risk of increased neurotoxicity.
Cardiac Glycosides and Antiarrhythmics (Classes Ia and III) The toxicity of these agents is **enhanced due to Xipamide's hypokalemic effect** (low serum potassium), which increases the risk of cardiotoxicity and proarrhythmia.
Alcohol May **increase the hypotensive effect**, reinforcing the blood pressure reduction.

There are no mandatory timing rules specified in regulatory documents that require Xipamide to be administered separated by a specific number of hours from other medicines. The primary interaction risks are governed by effects on systemic exposure and pharmacodynamic reinforcement, particularly regarding blood pressure and potassium levels.

Mechanism of Action

How Аквафор Works

The active ingredient in Аквафор, Xipamide, operates through two primary mechanistic domains: ion transport blockade in the kidney and modulation of vascular resistance.


Targeted Ion Transport Blockade

This domain covers the primary molecular action within the kidney's nephron, which is the selective inhibition of the Sodium-Chloride Symporter (NCC) ( SLC12A3) in the distal convoluted tubule. By blocking the reabsorption of Na^+ and Cl^- at this site, the drug establishes an osmotic gradient that limits water uptake. This cascade initiates a reduction of total extracellular fluid volume.


Peripheral Vascular Tone Modulation

This domain describes the extra-renal action that requires chronic exposure for the mechanism to manifest. Chronic use modulates the sodium ion concentration within the walls of peripheral blood vessels, leading to a decreased sensitivity to vasoconstricting mediators like Norepinephrine. This mechanism facilitates a decreased sensitivity to vasoconstricting mediators, resulting in the relaxation and widening of the arteries. This action decreases peripheral vascular resistance.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Аквафор: Official Administration Guidelines

Аквафор is administered exclusively by the oral route as an unmodified tablet. The medication is typically associated with a once-daily dosing frequency, which is standard for the long-acting pharmacological class of the active ingredient, Xipamide. A key procedural condition is that the administration must occur in the morning. This specific timing is a labeled instruction intended to align the primary diuretic effect with waking hours, thereby mitigating the potential for the disruption of nocturnal sleep.

The official administration protocol is differentiated based on the condition being managed.

Use Context Dosing Regimen Principle
Hypertension (Pressure Control) Requires long-term maintenance. The standard regimen is 20 mg once daily.
Oedema (Fluid Management) Requires an initial titrated course. Treatment typically starts with a higher dose, often up to 40 mg daily, which is subsequently reduced to a lower maintenance range of 10 mg to 20 mg daily.

For chronic management purposes, such as hypertension, the treatment is structured as a long-term regimen. In contrast, managing acute or recurrent fluid retention (oedema) involves an explicit procedural sequence: an initial higher dose course is followed by a step-down phase to establish the lowest effective maintenance dose. While dosage adjustments for patient factors like age or underlying health conditions are critical, the high-level regulatory labels instruct that the dose must be carefully determined by the prescriber based on the individual's clinical status.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Аквафор (Xipamide)

Evidence for Use in Managing High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Research examining the use of Аквафор (Xipamide) for elevated blood pressure focuses on its role in the management of mild to moderate essential hypertension. Researchers have conducted Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), which are considered a high standard for assessing an agent under controlled conditions. These studies were designed to evaluate patterns of change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. Findings describe patterns observed in the studies related to measured changes in blood pressure when compared to controls (placebo) or active comparators. The research primarily highlights changes measured during the study period, meaning that the full durability of response and the sustained impact on long-term health beyond the study duration are not fully established by dedicated, large-scale clinical trials.


Evidence for Use in Relieving Fluid Accumulation (Oedema)

Аквафор was evaluated in studies exploring its role in the management of fluid retention (oedema), which is the symptomatic presentation of fluid and salt retention linked to conditions like heart failure or renal disease. Research examined temporary physiological imbalance, using short-term clinical trials that focused on the immediate action of the medicine in the body. Researchers primarily measured changes in total body weight and daily urine output to assess the body’s fluid loss. Studies often involved smaller sample sizes and very short-term follow-up durations, meaning that evidence is limited for the complexities of the long-term management strategies for chronic oedema.


What Remains Uncertain and Areas for Future Research

The overall evidence landscape for Аквафор contributes to understanding symptom patterns but also highlights several areas of uncertainty. One key limitation is that most findings focus on surrogate outcomes (like blood pressure and fluid weight) rather than long-term, hard clinical outcomes (like reducing cardiovascular events). Furthermore, the follow-up durations were limited in many of the core efficacy studies, meaning there is limited information on the effects of continuous use over decades. Research is ongoing to explore the long-term functional stability and quality-of-life outcomes associated with the sustained use of the medicine across different patient groups.

Key Studies & References

  1. Comparison of the clinical and metabolic effects of hydrochlorothiazide and xipamide in resistance edematous syndrome in hospitalized patients with heart failure and concomitant renal dysfunction

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Аквафор (FAQ)

Q: Does it make you sleepy?

Official product information, based on clinical studies, indicates that somnolence (sleepiness) and dizziness are commonly reported side effects. Potential effects like somnolence and dizziness may impair the ability to perform activities requiring mental alertness, such as driving or operating machinery. This information is detailed in the Adverse Reactions section of the official label.


Q: Can I drink alcohol with it?

Official product information states that concurrent use with alcohol is not recommended or is contraindicated. The combination of alcohol and this medication may increase the risk of central nervous system side effects, including sleepiness and dizziness. This warning is included to prevent serious reactions.


Q: Is it safe for long-term use?

Regulatory safety information addresses important warnings and precautions applicable to both the initial and chronic use of the medicine. These include risks such as changes in mood or suicidal thoughts or behavior. Discontinuing the medication requires a healthcare professional's guidance to minimize the risk of withdrawal symptoms.


Q: Can children 2 years old use it?

According to the official product label, the medication is approved for limited uses in pediatric patients. Specifically, for adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures, it is approved for patients 1 month of age and older. For uses other than the approved seizure indication, the medication is not approved for use in children 2 years of age.

How should Аквафор be stored and disposed of?

The storage and disposal of Аквафор (Xipamide) tablets are governed by specific regulatory requirements to ensure product stability and safety.

Storage Conditions

Official labeling mandates that the product must be stored at a temperature not exceeding 25°C. The tablets must also be protected from moisture and must remain in their original container or packaging until use to maintain integrity. Critically, the medication must be kept out of the sight and reach of children as a mandatory safety precaution.

Disposal Instructions

Unused or expired Аквафор must not be disposed of via household waste or flushed down the toilet. The regulatory instruction is to consult a pharmacist or healthcare professional for guidance on how to safely discard the medication in accordance with local pharmaceutical waste protocols.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

Available in countries:

Equivalent of Аквафор found in:

A-Z Index: