Eprosartan - an angiotensin receptor blocker

About eprosartan

Eprosartan belongs to a group of medicines called angiotensin receptor blockers - also called angiotensin-II receptor antagonists (AIIRAs). It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). People with high blood pressure often do not feel unwell but, if left untreated, high blood pressure can harm the heart and damage blood vessels.

Eprosartan works by blocking the effect of a natural chemical made in your bloodstream, called angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes your blood vessels to narrow, so by blocking this effect, eprosartan allows your blood vessels to relax and widen. As this happens, the pressure within your blood vessels is reduced. This also makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.

Eprosartan can be prescribed on its own to treat high blood pressure, or you may also be given another medicine to take alongside it. This is because a combination of medicines which work in different ways can lower your blood pressure more than one on its own.

Before taking eprosartan

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking eprosartan it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• If you have problems with the way your kidneys work, or if you have a blockage of the artery which supplies blood to your kidneys.

• If you have problems with the way your liver works.

• If you have any problems with your heart valves or heart muscle.

• If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine, or if you have ever had a reaction where your face, tongue or throat swells (angio-oedema).

How to take eprosartan

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about eprosartan and will provide you with a full list of side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Take eprosartan exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is usual to take one tablet a day. You can generally take eprosartan at a time of day you find easy to remember - for most people this will be in the morning. There are several strengths of tablet: 300 mg, 400 mg and 600 mg. Most people will be prescribed the 600 mg strength tablet. Each time you collect a prescription, check to make sure it is the strength of tablet that you are expecting.

• Try to take eprosartan at the same time of day each day. This will help you to remember to take it regularly. Although eprosartan can be taken either with or without food, it is best to take the tablet with a snack or after a meal.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, leave out the forgotten dose from the previous day and take the dose that is due as normal. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your progress can be monitored and your blood pressure measured. Your doctor will want you to have some blood tests from time to time to check on your kidneys, and also how much potassium is in your blood.

• It is very important that you follow any dietary and lifestyle advice that you may have been given by your doctor, such as eating a healthy diet, not smoking, and taking regular exercise.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with eprosartan. This is because some anti-inflammatory painkillers (such as aspirin and ibuprofen) can interfere with the way eprosartan works and increase the risk of side-effects.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice about drinking alcohol while you are on eprosartan. Alcoholic drinks can make you feel light-headed or dizzy, and they may not be advisable for you.

• It is likely that your doctor will advise that you do not use salt substitutes while you are taking eprosartan. These products have a high content of potassium which could be harmful for you.

• If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking eprosartan. This is because some anaesthetics could cause your blood pressure to drop too low.

• Treatment with eprosartan is often long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. Continue to take it unless you are advised otherwise by your doctor.

Can eprosartan cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the more common ones associated with eprosartan. The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your medicine, is from the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. Alternatively, you can find an example of a manufacturer's information leaflet in the reference section below. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Important: if you get any swelling of your mouth or face, speak with your doctor or go to your local accident and emergency department. These could be signs of an allergic reaction.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the tablets, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store eprosartan

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
  

Important information about all medicines