EPLERENONE

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Inspra

GENERIC NAME(S): EPLERENONE

 

Description: Eplerenone is an aldosterone blocker, which works by lowering the amounts of sodium and water the body retains; consequently, lowering the blood pressure.

Indications:

Before giving eplerenone, serum potassium levels should be monitored first.

This drug lowers high blood pressure and helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems. It is also used to treat congestive heart failure following a heart attack.

Contraindications:

Should not be given to patients with:

  • Serum potassium >5.5 mEq/L
  • Creatinine clearance ≤ 30 mL/min
  • Concomitant administration of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
  • Type 2 diabetes

Availability:  This is a prescription only drug

How to use eplerenone

Dosage:

For Congestive Heart Failure: Initially ,dose of 25 mg orally once daily.  Then titrated or increased or titrated to 50 mg once daily within 4 weeks.

For Hypertension: 50 mg orally once daily

  • Take this medication by mouth, usually once or twice daily, with or without food, or as directed by your doctor.
  • Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.

Please see Precautions section

The following are side effects does not need medical attention, but if it becomes bothersome, check with your doctor:

  • abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • breast pain
  • chills
  • cloudy urine
  • cough
  • diarrhea
  • fever
  • general feeling of discomfort or illness
  • joint pain
  • loss of appetite
  • mucle aches and pains
  • swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

However, when these unwanted side effects occur while taking eplerenone, consult your doctor immediately:

  • abdominal or stomach pain
  • arm, back, or jaw pain
  • chest pain or discomfort
  • chest tightness or heaviness
  • confusion
  • difficulty with breathing
  • dizziness
  • fast or irregular heartbeat
  • headache
  • irregular heartbeat
  • headache
  • large, hive-like swelling in the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
  • nauseas
  • nervousness
  • numbness or tingling in the hands, feet or lips
  • pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back or neck
  • rash
  • shortness of breath
  • vomiting
  • weakness or heaviness of the legs

Precautions

General:

This medication may increase your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially the raising of potassium blood levels.

  • Allergy: Before taking eplerenone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
  • Medical History: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you had: high potassium blood levels (hyperkalemia), severe kidney disease, diabetes.

Pregnancy Risk: Category Risk B (No proven risk in humans)

Breastfeeding: drug must be discontinued.

 

Interactions

  • Some of the products that may interact with this drug include: drugs that may increase the level of potassium in the blood (such as birth control pills containing drospirenone, potassium sparing “water pills” such as amiloride/spironolactone/triamterene), lithium.
  • Other medications can affect the removal of eplerenone from your body, which may affect how eplerenone works. Examples include azole antifungals (such as fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole), boceprevir, clarithromycin, cobicistat, nefazodone, HIV protease inhibitors (such as nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir), St. John’s wort, telaprevir, telithromycin, verapamil, among others.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

  • severe dizziness,
  • severe muscle weakness, or
  • irregular heartbeat

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Lifestyle changes that may help this medication work better include exercising, stopping smoking, and eating a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet. Consult your doctor for more details.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as potassium blood levels, kidney function tests) should be performed before you start eplerenone and periodically during your treatment to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home, and share the results with your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

 

Brands

Inspra

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