Inspra (Eplerenone)

What is Inspra?

Inspra is a medicine whose active ingredient is eplerenone. It belongs to the class of anti-hypertensives and is an aldosterone antagonist.

What is Inspra used for?

Inspra is used by patients suffering from chronic heart failure. It is used after a heart attack to avoid further deterioration. It can, therefore, enhance the possibility of survival. The medication is also used for treating high blood pressure.

How does Inspra work?

To control blood pressure in the body, Aldosterone is vital. Inspra regulates the pressure by blocking the maneuvers of Aldosterone hormones.

How to use Inspra

Inspra can be taken with or without food, but it should be strictly taken as prescribed by the doctor. It can be started with a quantity of 25mg every day, and after four weeks it can be increased to 50mg per day.

The doctor may alter the dosage of Inspra after checking the blood pressure and potassium levels in the body at certain intervals. Therefore, patients must not miss their regular check-ups and adhere to the instructions given by the doctor.

Inspra warnings and precautions

• The patients with a background of kidney disease, high levels of potassium, or type-2 diabetes should avoid taking Inspra.
• Any prior allergies that you are suffering from or medicines that you are consuming already should be told to the doctor before commencing the intake of Inspra.
• Those undergoing severe liver dysfunction are not recommended to consume Inspra. However, if they are suffering from some liver troubles, they need to consult their doctors before adding Inspra to their medications.
• The medication is not suggested during the time of pregnancy,. Talk to your doctor before its intake. A nursing baby might get affected from the human milk if (his) breast-feeding mother is consuming Inspra. Therefore, it is advisable that lactating women consult their doctors before taking this medicine.

What do I do if I have missed a Inspra dose?

If you have missed your Inspra dose, you should skip the missed one and take the next dose. But, it should be taken care that no extra dose is taken to make up for the missed one.

What do I do if I have taken a Inspra overdose?

If you have taken an Inspra overdose, you should instantly consult your doctor. The overdose symptoms include a slow pace of heart beat, weak pulse and weakness of muscles or wooziness.

Inspra interactions

Inspra usually interacts with the potassium supplements like potassium sparing diuretics or ‘water pills’, such as amiloride, spironolactone or triamterene; and they can react with Inspra if both are taken simultaneously by a patient.

This medication also reacts with medicines like ketoconazole and traconazole, and the patient must consult his or her doctor before consuming them concurrently.

If you are previously on medicines like Nizoral, Sporanox, Biaxin, Viracept, Norvir, Kaletra, or Tao, you must avoid taking Inspra with them.

Inspra side effects

If Inspra results in any kind of allergies or signs like hives, stomach ache, trouble in breathing, or swelling on lips or face, immediately consult your doctor.

Inspra can lead to side effects like high levels of potassium, which is marked by slower pace of heart beat or muscle weakness; or low levels of potassium, which is indicated by a lot of thirst, more urination, and limp feeling.

In addition, a patient may also suffer from cough, diarrhea, giddiness, chills or fever, several symptoms of flu, fatigue; breast swelling or tenderness.