Eplerenone
About
Eplerenone belongs to a class of medicine called 'diuretics' (water pills) primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It also maintains the bloodstream's potassium level, removes excess water from the body, and prevents hypertension (high blood pressure) due to oedema (fluid retention). Blood pressure measures the force our heart uses to pump blood to all body parts. Hypertension is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart.
Eplerenone contains Eplerenone, which is prescribed for the treatment of hypertension. Eplerenone works by increasing the amount of urine that is passed out from the kidneys. It effectively reduces excess fluid levels in the body and the heart's workload, making it more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, it also helps lower high blood pressure, reducing the chances of any future heart attack, stroke, or angina (chest pain) in the future.
Take Eplerenone as prescribed by your doctor. Depending upon your medical condition, you are advised to take Eplerenone for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you. In some cases, you may experience dehydration, electrolyte disturbances (calcium, magnesium, and sodium), constipation, itching, and increased uric acid. Most of these side effects of Eplerenone do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Try not to stop taking a Eplerenone of your own, as doing so may raise your blood pressure, thereby increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Inform your doctor if you have any kidney disease (with creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min), liver disease, high serum potassium (hyperkalemia), diabetes mellitus type 2, and patients with nil urine output (anuria). If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please tell your doctor so that the dosage of Eplerenone can be prescribed accordingly. Please tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines or are allergic to the Eplerenone. Reducing the amount of table salt (sodium chloride) in your food often relieves the body's swelling. Please take Eplerenone at least 4 hours before sleeping to avoid frequent urination at night. Also, do not take Eplerenone along with lithium to prevent serious side effects.
Uses of Eplerenone
Medicinal Benefits
Eplerenone primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart failure. It also treats edema (reduces swelling) caused due to other conditions. Eplerenone works by increasing the amount of urine passing from the kidneys. It effectively reduces excess fluid levels in the body and reduces the heart's workload, and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, it also helps lower high blood pressure, reducing the chances of any future heart attack, stroke, or angina (chest pain) in the future.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Eplerenone
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Cough
- Increased creatinine and potassium in the blood
- Fatigue
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Eplerenone should not be given to the people allergic to Eplerenone, have low blood pressure (less than 90 mm of Hg), have had a heart attack, kidney disease (with creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min), liver disease, high serum potassium (hyperkalemia), diabetes mellitus type 2 and patients with nil urine output (anuria), pregnant women, planning to get pregnant and breastfeeding women. Eplerenone can pass into breast milk, but its effect on the baby is unknown, so it is better to tell your doctor if you are taking Eplerenone and breastfeeding. Dehydration with electrolyte and acid-base disturbances must be corrected before using Eplerenone. Do not take extra potassium supplements or potassium-rich foods such as bananas and broccoli with Eplerenone. It may lead to an excessive increase in blood potassium levels (hyperkalemia). Please take Eplerenone at least 4 hours before sleeping to avoid frequent urination at night. Also, do not take Eplerenone along with lithium to prevent serious side effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Eplerenone may interact with other high blood pressure-lowering pills (metoprolol, ramipril, hydrochlorothiazide), blood thinners (aspirin, warfarin), anti-epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, phenobarbital), immune-suppressing drugs (cyclosporine), painkillers (ibuprofen), anti-fungal medicines (itraconazole, ketoconazole), HIV medicines (ritonavir, nelfinavir), anti-bacterial medicines (clarithromycin, telithromycin), anti-depressants (lithium).
Drug-Food Interactions: You are recommended not to consume alcohol with Eplerenone to avoid unpleasant side effects. Also, St. John's wort plant (natural remedy to treat depression) is known to interact with Eplerenone.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Eplerenone should not be given to people with low blood pressure (hypotension), coronary heart disease, liver or kidney disease, heart failure, high serum potassium (hyperkalemia), diabetes mellitus type 2 and patients with nil urine output (anuria).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Eplerenone to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
cautionEplerenone should be used in pregnant women only if clinically needed, and the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionBreast-feeding must be avoided during treatment with Eplerenone. It is only if prescribed by a doctor and if benefits overweigh harms.
Driving
unsafeIt is not recommended to drive after taking Eplerenone as it may occasionally cause drowsiness due to orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure on standing from lying position).
Liver
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the Eplerenone if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending on your current kidney conditions.
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the Eplerenone if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending on your current kidney conditions.
Children
cautionEplerenone is not recommended for children below 12 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Consume antioxidant-rich food. Blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, squash, and bell peppers are highly antioxidants.
- Eat natural diuretic foods. Asparagus, beets, green beans, grapes, onion, leafy greens, pineapple, leeks, pumpkin, and garlic are all-natural diuretic foods.
- Use healthy cooking oils like soybean, olive, canola, and coconut oil.
- You should avoid refined foods such as white bread, spaghetti, sugar, and red meat.
- Reduce or eliminate Trans fatty acids, which are found in commercially baked items such as cookies, cakes, crackers, French fries, onion rings, doughnuts, and processed foods.
- Avoid the consumption of too much salt or salty food.
- Keep your weight under control with a BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- Regular physical activity or exercise like walking improves your blood flow.
- Elevate your legs or the swollen area on a chair or pillow.
- Avoid standing or sitting for extended periods.
- Avoid chronic stress, as it can raise your blood pressure.
- Spend time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Quitting smoking and alcohol consumption is the best strategy to lower the risk of many health complications.
Special Advise
- Treatment with Eplerenone requires regular monitoring of serum potassium and creatinine level.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily and if there is too much fluctuation, then immediately contact your doctor.
- Monitor your blood sugar level daily and if there is too much fluctuation, then immediately contact your doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: The blood exerts increased pressure on the walls of blood vessels leading to hypertension. High blood pressure is expressed as systolic/diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats or pumps out blood. Diastolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries between the heartbeats. Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) by a blood pressure monitor called a sphygmomanometer. Some of the symptoms are headache, dizziness, nosebleeds, altered vision, chest pain, weakness, and shortness of breath. However, most of the time, the signs and symptoms of hypertension are none.
Oedema: Oedema, also known as fluid overload, occurs due to fluid build-up in spaces between the cells. Oedema can result from a variety of factors. Some oedema reasons are caused by your lifestyle, while an underlying medical problem causes others. Shortness of breath, chest pain (angina), abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), and swelling in hands or abdominal areas are the symptoms of oedema.
FAQs
Eplerenone works by increasing the amount of urine passed out from the kidneys. It effectively reduces excess fluid levels in the body. This reduces the heart's workload and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, it also helps lower high blood pressure, reducing the chances of any future heart attack, stroke, or angina (chest pain) in the future.
It is not common, but Eplerenone can sometimes increase the blood sugar level. Therefore, monitoring your blood sugar level to check for any fluctuations is crucial. Also, the use of Eplerenone should be avoided in patients with type 2 diabetes and some kidney problems.
Yes, Eplerenone can cause increased potassium levels (hyperkalemia), especially in patients with kidney problems or if you are taking potassium supplements along with Eplerenone. Please monitor your electrolyte level regularly to avoid increased blood potassium levels.
It is a medical term for fluid retention or overload. Due to edema, the legs, hands, and other body parts start swelling, increasing blood pressure. If it does not subside, please consult your doctor immediately.
The main side effect of Eplerenone is peeing (urination) more often than normal. Most people need to pee about 30 minutes after taking Eplerenone and again within a few hours. Do not take Eplerenone before going to bed, or you may have to wake up at night to go for urination frequently.
No, it is not recommended to take Eplerenone along with lithium. It might increase lithium's level in the blood and lead to unpleasant side effects like visual impairment, loss of appetite, and muscle weakness. So, inform your doctor before starting Eplerenone if you take lithium is recommended.
