Final answer:
The drug irbesartan is sold under the brand name Avapro. It is an Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker used for treating hypertension and protecting the kidneys from diabetes-related damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The brand name of the drug irbesartan is Avapro. Irbesartan belongs to a class of drugs known as Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs), sometimes referred to as Angiotensin-2 Receptor Antagonists. These medications are commonly used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and can also help to protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes. Other well-known ARBs include Losartan (brand name Cozaar), Valsartan (brand name Diovan), and Candesartan (brand name Atacand).
It's important to distinguish these medications from other types of blood pressure-lowering drugs, such as ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril and Enalapril, calcium channel blockers like Amlodipine, or diuretics like Hydrochlorothiazide. Each class of medication works in a different way and is prescribed based on the individual patient's needs.