Inspra

 
Generic Name: eplerenone

Brands: Inspra

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

· Do not use salt substitutes or take potassium supplements while taking Inspra except under the direction of your doctor.

 

What is Inspra?

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

· Inspra is used to lower high blood pressure. Inspra is also used in the treatment of congestive heart failure following a heart attack.

· Inspra may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Inspra?

· Do not take Inspra without first talking to your doctor if you     ·have a high level of potassium in the blood;     ·have type II diabetes (noninsulin dependent) with microalbuminuria (protein in the urine);     ·have kidney disease;     ·are using a salt substitute or taking a potassium supplement (e.g., K-Dur, Klor-Con) or a potassium-sparing diuretic such as amiloride (Midamor), triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone); or     ·take other medicines.

· You may not be able to take Inspra or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· Before taking Inspra, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

· Inspra is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that Inspra is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Inspra without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

· It is not known whether Inspra passes into breast milk. Do not take Inspra without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

 

How should I take Inspra?

· Take Inspra exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Take each dose with a full glass of water.

· Inspra can be taken with or without food.

· It is important to take Inspra regularly to get the most benefit.

· Do not stop taking Inspra without first talking to your doctor, even if you are feeling well. Stopping suddenly could make your condition worse.

· Your doctor may want to perform blood tests to monitor potassium levels in the body or perform other monitoring tests during treatment with Inspra.

· Store Inspra at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

· Symptoms of an Inspra overdose may include vomiting, tremors, drowsiness and seizures.

 

What should I avoid while taking Inspra?

· Do not use salt substitutes or take potassium supplements while taking Inspra except under the direction of your doctor.

 

What are the possible side effects of this drug?

· If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Inspra and seek emergency medical treatment or contact your doctor immediately:     ·an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or     ·increased levels of potassium in the blood (nausea, diarrhea, or weakness may be early signs or it may be detected by blood tests).

· If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking Inspra and talk to your doctor:     ·headache;     ·dizziness;     ·fatigue; or     ·cough.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

 

What other drugs will affect Inspra?

· Do not take Inspra without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:     ·a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others;     ·a salt substitute that contains potassium;     ·a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) such as triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide), spironolactone (Aldactone), or amiloride (Midamor);     ·an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik);     ·an angiotensin II receptor inhibitor such as candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), olmesartan (Benicar), telmisartan (Micardis), or valsartan (Diovan);     ·fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or itraconazole (Sporanox);     ·verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS, Isoptin, Verelan);     ·erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, Eryc, PCE, others);     ·lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others);     ·nefazodone (Serzone);     ·a protease inhibitor such as amprenavir (Agenerase), ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase), or indinavir (Crixivan); or     ·delavirdine(Rescriptor).

· You may not be able to take Inspra, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Inspra or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has additional information about Inspra written for health professionals that you may read.