This article describes possible side effects of eplerenone oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about eplerenone, including the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.
Eplerenone oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Inspra.
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More common side effects of eplerenone
Eplerenone oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of eplerenone oral tablet include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of eplerenone in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of eplerenone
Eplerenone may cause certain mild side effects. Typically, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of eplerenone oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of eplerenone in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with eplerenone oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Eplerenone oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of eplerenone
Eplerenone may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from eplerenone oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with eplerenone.
Serious side effects of eplerenone oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term male to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of eplerenone in detail” section below.
‡ An allergic reaction is possible with eplerenone oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
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Common questions about side effects of eplerenone
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of eplerenone oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How do side effects of eplerenone compare with those seen with spironolactone?
Eplerenone and spironolactone are similar drugs and can cause similar side effects. They both belong to a group of drugs called aldosterone antagonists. Eplerenone and spironolactone are both used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure after a heart attack. Spironolactone is also approved to treat edema (swelling) and high aldosterone levels in certain situations.
Since they’re in the same group of drugs, they share many of the same side effects. This includes dizziness, headache, and high potassium levels in the blood. Because of this, you should not take these two drugs together.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about how eplerenone and spironolactone compare.
Does eplerenone cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases eplerenone oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time or last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Although rare, examples of long-term side effects reported with eplerenone oral tablet include:
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of eplerenone may last.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term male to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
Can eplerenone cause weight gain?
No, eplerenone oral tablet isn’t likely to cause weight gain. This side effect wasn’t reported in people taking the drug in studies.
That said, fluid retention can cause weight gain. Fluid retention can be a sign of worsening heart failure. Eplerenone is prescribed for heart failure after a heart attack. Fluid retention can also occur with high levels of potassium in the blood. High potassium levels are a possible serious side effect of eplerenone.
If you notice weight gain while taking eplerenone oral tablet, tell your doctor right away. They can determine the most likely cause and suggest ways to manage it.
Side effects of eplerenone in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of eplerenone oral tablet.
High levels of potassium in the blood
In studies, high levels of potassium in the blood were common in people taking eplerenone oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.
With high levels of potassium in the blood, your body holds on to too much potassium. You may not have any symptoms if the potassium levels are mildly high. But very high levels of potassium can cause symptoms, which may include:
Certain factors can increase the risk of high levels of potassium in the blood with eplerenone oral tablet. These include:
- diabetes
- kidney problems
- other drugs or supplements that can increase potassium levels
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of high levels of potassium in the blood, tell your doctor and get medical care right away. Don’t use potassium-based salt substitutes or potassium supplements with eplerenone without talking with your doctor.
High levels of creatinine in the blood
In studies, high levels of creatinine in the blood were common in people taking eplerenone oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.
Creatinine is a substance in the blood that doctors can measure. It can tell them how well your kidneys are working. High levels of creatinine in the blood may be a sign of kidney problems. You may not know you have high creatinine unless your doctor measures it. But you may have other symptoms of kidney problems such as:
- changes in how much you urinate
- dry, itchy skin
- nausea or vomiting
- shortness of breath
- swelling in the lower legs or ankles
Ways to manage
If you have concerns about high creatinine levels or kidney problems, tell your doctor. If you experience symptoms of kidney problems, get medical care right away.
For some people, eplerenone oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, typically affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to eplerenone oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for eplerenone
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking eplerenone oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take eplerenone oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether eplerenone oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking eplerenone oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Eplerenone and pregnancy
It’s not known whether eplerenone oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Eplerenone and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether eplerenone oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Eplerenone oral tablet isn’t known to interact with alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with eplerenone oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of eplerenone oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do the side effects of eplerenone compare to other drugs that could treat my condition?
- Does my risk of side effects depend on the dosage I take?
- Do I have a higher risk of side effects than other people?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
