Inspra

Eplerenone Drug Information

• Inspra Overview

  Inspra is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat high blood pressure. It works by blocking a chemical (aldosterone) in your body which in turn lowers the amount of sodium and water the body retains. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems. It is also used to treat congestive heart failure following a heart attack.

• How to Use Inspra

  Take Inspra by mouth, usually once or twice daily, with or without food, or as directed by your doctor. Use Inspra regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use Inspra at the same time(s) each day. The Dosage of Inspra is based on your medical condition (high blood pressure, heart failure), response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). It may take up to 4 weeks for Inspra to fully affect your blood pressure. It is important to continue taking Inspra even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.

• Inspra Precautions

  Before taking eplerenone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Inspra may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Inspra, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,high potassium blood levels (hyperkalemia), kidney disease, diabetes. Inspra may increase your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Inspra may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). 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 Inspra, especially the raising of potassium blood levels. During pregnancy, Inspra should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if Inspra passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

• Inspra Misdose

  If you miss a dose of Inspra, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

• Inspra Interactions

  See also Precautions section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.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 certain azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole), boceprevir, clarithromycin, cobicistat, nefazodone, certain HIV protease inhibitors (such as nelfinavir, ritonavir), St. John's wort, telaprevir, telithromycin, among others. Some products have ingredients that could raise your blood pressure or worsen your heart failure. Tell your pharmacist what products you are using, and ask how to use them safely (especially cough-and-cold products, diet aids, or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen).

• Inspra Side Effects

  What are Inspra side effects?

  Side effects are physical, mental or emotional symptoms which occur in addition to or outside of the desired effect of a therapeutic treatment such as an over-the-counter or prescribed drug or medication. Side effects from Inspra may occur at the beginning or at the end of treatment and may also depend on the length of time an individual remains on the treatment. Side effects, also known as adverse effects, are generally more likely to occur when starting treatment. Individuals may also experience side effects from Inspra as a result of an interaction with other medications.

  Side Effects of Inspra

  The side effects of Inspra may vary in number and intensity for many different reasons. Factors such as age, weight, gender and ethnicity may influence the side effects of Inspra. Also, an individual’s state of general physical health and seriousness of the disease or illness as well as an increase or decrease in dosage may lead to side effects. Further, side effects from Inspra may also occur as a result of an interaction with certain herbal supplements, foods or drinks.

  Prescription drug side effects can be serious and may cause patients to stop the treatment. However, when side effects from the use of a prescription drug, such as Inspra, do occur a patient should consult their physician. A physician may prescribe an additional treatment in order to control the symptoms or an adjustment in the dosage may be made. In addition, changes to diet, exercise or other lifestyle activities may help to lessen the side effects of Inspra.

  By understanding side effects and the factors which may influence the occurrence of side effects patients are empowered to take an active role in their care. Patients who have specific questions about the side effects of Inspra, or any other medication, should contact their physician. General information about Inspra and the side effects associated with Inspra are described in the following:

  Common Inspra Side Effects

  Severe

  • hyperkalemia

  Less Severe

  Less Frequent Inspra Side Effects

  Severe

  • headache disorder
  • dizziness
  • kidney disease with reduction in GFR

  Less Severe

  • gynecomastia
  • abnormal vaginal bleeding

  Rare or Very Rare Inspra Side Effects

  Severe

  • angioedema
  • acute myocardial infarction
  • angina

  Less Severe

  • skin rash

• Inspra Storage

  Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications 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 Inspra when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.