Eplerenone (By mouth)

Introduction

Eplerenone (e-PLER-en-one)

Treats high blood pressure. Also treats congestive heart failure (CHF) after a heart attack.

Brand Name(s)

Inspra

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to eplerenone, or if you have severe kidney disease, high amounts of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia), or kidney problems caused by type 2 diabetes. You should not use this medicine if you are also using clarithromycin (Biaxin®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), nefazodone (Serzone®), nelfinavir (Viracept®), ritonavir (Norvir®), troleandomycin (Tao®), potassium supplements, or certain kinds of diuretics or "water pills" (such as amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene, Aldactazide®, Aldactone®, Dyazide®, Dyrenium®, Midamor®, or Moduretic®).

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using erythromycin (Erythro-Tab®), fluconazole (Diflucan®), lithium (Lithobid®, Eskalith®), saquinavir (Fortovase®), verapamil (Calan®), blood pressure medicine (such as Accupril®, Altace®, Avapro®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Hyzaar®, Lotensin®, Lotrel®, Monopril®, Prinivil®, Vasotec®, or Zestril®), or pain or arthritis medicine (such as ibuprofen, Advil®, Aleve®, Daypro®, Motrin®, Orudis®, or Relafen®).
• Do not take any medicine with potassium while you are using eplerenone. This includes salt substitutes and some vitamin or mineral supplements.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes.
• Call your doctor right away if you are having abdominal or stomach pain; confusion; difficulty with breathing; irregular heartbeats; nausea or vomiting; nervousness; numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips; shortness of breath; or weakness or heaviness of the legs.
• Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any symptoms of the condition. In fact, many patients feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.
• This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it. You must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Chest pain.
• Confusion, weakness, uneven heartbeat, shortness of breath, or numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips.
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Unusual tiredness or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Breast pain.
• Diarrhea or stomach pain.
• Headache or dizziness.
• Increase in size of breasts (men and women).
• Unusual vaginal bleeding.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088