eplerenone

Eplerenone (Inspra) can be taken with or without food, and it’s best to take it around the same time every day.

Following a low sodium diet while using eplerenone (Inspra) is a good option to help lower blood pressure. If you’re using salt substitutes, be sure to choose salt substitutes that don’t have potassium to lower the chance of having high potassium levels with eplerenone (Inspra). Also, don’t use any potassium supplements while taking this medication since this can also lead to high potassium levels

To prevent high potassium levels, you’ll need regular blood work to check your potassium levels while taking eplerenone (Inspra). Typically, you’ll get blood work done before starting this medication, within the first week, at one month, or whenever the dose is changed. If you start taking certain medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors, ARBS, or NSAIDs) you’ll also need to have your potassium and creatinine levels checked within 1 week.

When eplerenone (Inspra) is used in combination with certain blood pressure medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and NSAIDs), there is a greater risk for high levels of potassium in your blood. So it’s important to tell your healthcare provider if you’re also taking any of these medications.

Though rare, eplerenone (Inspra) can cause an increase in breast tenderness and size in men. If this becomes bothersome, speak to your healthcare provider.

Eplerenone (Inspra) doesn’t work immediately. In fact, you might notice a drop in your blood pressure in as soon as 2 weeks. But it does take about 4 weeks to see the full effect of this medication. So it’s important to keep taking this medication even if you don’t feel any changes. You might want to monitor your blood pressure at home while using this medication.