Eplerenone

Eplerenone is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Eplerenone is in a class of medications called mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the action of aldosterone, a natural substance in the body that raises blood pressure.

Eplerenone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day, with or without food. To help you remember to take eplerenone, take it around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take eplerenone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of eplerenone and increase your dose after 4 weeks. Eplerenone controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. It may take 4 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of eplerenone. Continue to take eplerenone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking eplerenone without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Eplerenone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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headache</li>
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dizziness</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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stomach pain</li>
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cough</li>
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excessive tiredness</li>
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flu-like symptoms</li>
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breast enlargement or tenderness</li>
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abnormal vaginal bleeding</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
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chest pain</li>
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tingling in arms and legs</li>
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loss of muscle tone</li>
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weakness or heaviness in legs</li>
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confusion</li>
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lack of energy</li>
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cold, gray skin</li>
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irregular heartbeat</li></ul>Eplerenone may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking eplerenone, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to eplerenone or any other medications. do not take eplerenone if you are taking amiloride (Midamor), amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide (Moduretic), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), potassium supplements, spironolactone (Aldactone), spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide (Aldactazide), triamterene (Dyrenium), or triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide (Dyazide, Maxzide). tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), and quinapril (Accupril); angiotensin II receptor antagonists such as eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), olmesartan (Benicar), and valsartan (Diovan); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); cimetidine (Tagamet); clarithromycin (Biaxin); danazol (Danocrine); delavirdine (Rescriptor); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); fluconazole (Diflucan); fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem); fluvoxamine (Luvox); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir), and saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); metronidazole (Flagyl); nefazodone (Serzone); troleandomycin (TAO); verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); and zafirlukast (Accolate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high blood levels of potassium, diabetes, gout, or liver or kidney disease.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. Symptoms of overdose may include:

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fainting</li>
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dizziness</li>
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blurred vision</li>
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upset stomach</li>
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tingling in arms and legs</li>
<li>
loss of muscle tone</li>
<li>
weakness or heaviness in legs</li>
<li>
confusion</li>
<li>
lack of energy</li>
<li>
cold, gray skin</li>
<li>
irregular or slow heartbeat</li></ul>