Details

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). To make sure eplerenone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease liver disease high cholesterol or triglycerides or if you take other heart or blood pressure medication, such as benazepril, candesartan, captopril, lisinopril, losartan, olmesartan, ramipril, telmisartan, trandolapril, valsartan, and others. You may not be able to take eplerenone if you have severe kidney disease, high potassium levels in your blood, or type 2 diabetes with protein in your urine.

Typical Uses

Eplerenone is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat high blood pressure. It works by blocking a chemical (aldosterone) in your body which in turn lowers the amount of sodium and water the body retains. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems. It is also used to treat congestive heart failure following a heart attack.

Side Effects

Some of the side effects of eplerenone include mood changes, vomiting, little or no urinating swelling, rapid weight gain 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).

Drug Interactions

• Eplerenone+amiloride- Using eplerenone together with amiloride is not recommended. Combining these medications may significantly increase potassium levels in the blood. High levels of potassium can develop into a condition known as hypercalcemia, which in severe cases can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest. You may be more likely to develop hypercalcemia while using eplerenone or amiloride if you are elderly, dehydrated, or have kidney disease, diabetes, or advanced heart failure.

• Eplerenone+boceprevir- Using eplerenone together with boceprevir is not recommended. Combining these medications may significantly increase the blood levels and effects of eplerenone. This can increase the risk of serious side effects including hypercalcemia (high blood potassium), which in severe cases can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.

• Eplerenone+conivaptan- Using eplerenone together with conivaptan is not recommended. Combining these medications may significantly increase the blood levels and effects of eplerenone. This can increase the risk of serious side effects including hypercalcemia (high blood potassium), which in severe cases can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.

• Eplerenone+itraconazole- Using eplerenone together with itraconazole is not recommended. Combining these medications may significantly increase the blood levels and effects of eplerenone. This can increase the risk of serious side effects including hypercalcemia (high blood potassium), which in severe cases can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.

Mechanism of action

Eplerenone belongs to a class of drugs called aldosterone antagonists or mineralcorticoids receptor antagonists. It blocks the biological effect of aldosterone, a naturally released hormone that raises blood pressure by acting on aldosterone/mineralcorticoids receptors.

Pregnancy Category : B