Eplerenone
Brand Names
Eplerenone, InspraWhat is Eplerenone
Eplerenone is a medication that belongs to a class of medications called mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. It blocks the actions of the hormone aldosterone in the body. Aldosterone is important for the regulation of blood pressure. Eplerenone is effective for treating congestive heart failure after a heart attack. Sometimes, this medication is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Side effects of Eplerenone
Eplerenone common side effects may include:
- headache
- dizziness
- diarrhea
- stomach pain
- cough
- excessive tiredness
- flu-like symptoms
- breast enlargement or tenderness
- abnormal vaginal bleeding
If you have noticed any of these serious side effects, contact your doctor at once:
- chest pain
- tingling in arms and legs
- loss of muscle tone
- weakness or heaviness in legs
- confusion
- lack of energy
- cold, gray skin
- irregular heartbeat
Indication
Eplerenone can be used alone or in combination with other medications in order to treat high blood pressure. It works by blocking the action of aldosterone, a natural substance in the body that raises blood pressure.
Precautions
You may not be able to take this medication if you have:
- allergy to eplerenone;
- high potassium levels in your blood (hyperkalemia);
- severe kidney disease;
- type 2 diabetes with protein in your urine;
- are also taking ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), nefazodone, clarithromycin (Biaxin), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), or troleandomycin (Tao).
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
- high cholesterol or triglycerides;
Dosage forms
The recommended starting dose of Eplerenone is 50 mg taken once daily. The full therapeutic effect of Eplerenone is apparent within 4 weeks. For patients with an inadequate blood pressure response to 50 mg once daily the dosage of this medication should be increased to 50 mg twice daily. Higher dosages of Eplerenone are not recommended because they have no greater effect on blood pressure than 100 mg and are associated with an increased risk of hyperkalemia.
