Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Inspra

Generic Name: eplerenone (Pronunciation: ep LER e none)

• What is eplerenone (Inspra)?
• What are the possible side effects of this drug (Inspra)?
• What is the most important information I should know about eplerenone (Inspra)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking eplerenone (Inspra)?
• How should I take eplerenone (Inspra)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Inspra)?
• What happens if I overdose (Inspra)?
• What should I avoid while taking eplerenone (Inspra)?
• What other drugs will affect eplerenone (Inspra)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is eplerenone (Inspra)?

Eplerenone blocks the actions of the hormone aldosterone in the body. Aldosterone is important for the regulation of blood pressure.

Eplerenone is used to treat congestive heart failure after a heart attack. Eplerenone is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Eplerenone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Eplerenone 25 mg-APO

round, yellow, imprinted with APO, EP 25

Eplerenone 50 mg-APO

round, yellow, imprinted with APO, EP 50

Inspra 25 mg

diamond, yellow, imprinted with Pfizer, NSR 25

Inspra 50 mg

diamond, pink, imprinted with Pfizer, NSR 50

What are the possible side effects of this drug (Inspra)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling); or
• low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling).

Less serious side effects may include:

• diarrhea, stomach pain;
• cough;
• dizziness;
• tired feeling;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• vaginal bleeding; or
• breast swelling or tenderness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about eplerenone (Inspra)?

You may not be able to take this medication if you have severe kidney disease, high potassium levels in your blood, or type 2 diabetes with protein in your urine.

You also may not be able to take eplerenone if you are also taking ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), nefazodone, clarithromycin (Biaxin), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), or troleandomycin (Tao).

Before taking eplerenone, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides.

Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking eplerenone, unless your doctor has told you to.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Your potassium levels will also need to be checked with frequent blood tests. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not know when your blood pressure is high.

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