Eprosartan tablets 600 mg  

What Eprosartan is and what it is used for

• Eprosartan belongs to a family of medicines known as angiotensin II receptor blockers.

• Angiotensin II is produced in your body and causes blood vessels to become narrower. This makes the blood flow through the vessels more difficult and the blood pressure increases. 

• Eprosartan blocks this action so that the blood vessels relax and the blood pressure is lowered.

• Eprosartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

What you need to know before you use Eprosartan

Do not take Eprosartan

• If   you   are   allergic (hypersensitive) to Eprosartan   any   of   the   other   ingredients in   these   tablets  

• If you are more than 3 months pregnant. (It is also better to avoid Eprosartan in early pregnancy)

• If you have severe liver problems

• If you have damaged blood flow to the kidneys or serious constrictions in a single functioning kidney

• If you have diabetes or impaired kidney function and you are treated with a blood pressure lowering medicine containing aliskiren.

Warnings and precautions

You should let your doctor know:

• if you think that you are (or might become) pregnant. Eprosartan is not recommended in early pregnancy and must not be taken if you are more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used at that stage

• if you are dehydrated or have low salt levels (because you are on a low salt diet, are taking water tablets or you have, or have had, diarrhoea or vomiting). These conditions should be corrected before you start taking eprosartan

• if you know you have raised potassium levels in your blood

• if you suffer from heart disease e.g. heart valve disease, an enlarged heart or weakness of the heart muscle (heart failure)

• if you have severe kidney problems, have had a kidney transplant or need dialysis

• if you have narrowing or a blockage of the blood vessels leading to your kidney(s)

• if you have any other liver problems

• if you have a condition affecting your adrenal gland (hyperaldosteronism)

• if you are of Afro-Caribbean origin, as eprosartan may be less effective in lowering blood pressure

• if you are taking any of the following medicines used to treat high blood pressure: 

- an ACE-inhibitor (for example enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril), in particular if you have diabetesrelated kidney problems

- aliskiren

Other medicines and Eprosartan

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. 

This includes medicines obtained without a prescription, or the following:

• other blood pressure lowering medicines

• potassium supplements, potassium-sparing agents or potassium-containing salt substitutes

• a diuretic (‘water tablet’)

• medicines that can increase blood potassium levels, such as heparin, used to treat blood clots

• lithium, used to treat certain mental disorders

• medicines for pain and inflammation such as aspirin (more than 3 g per day), ibuprofen, diclofenac, celecoxib, etoricoxib or lumiracoxib (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines) used for pain, fever 

Your doctor may need to change your dose and/or to take other precautions:

• If you are taking an ACE-inhibitor or aliskiren

Pregnancy and breastfeeding 

Eprosartan tablet contains lactose (monohydrate)

 If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, such as lactose, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

How to take Eprosartan

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. 

Swallow the tablets whole with water once a day, with or without food.

Try to take your tablets at the same time each day. 

Adults 

The recommended dose is 600 mg of eprosartan once a day.

Eprosartan may be used alone or along with other medicine e.g. a diuretic, to help lower your blood pressure. 

Use in children and adolescents 

Children and adolescents under 18 years should not take eprosartan. 

Patients with liver or kidney problems 

Do not take eprosartan if you have severe liver problems

If you have kidney problems, your doctor may give you a lower dose. 

Possible side effects

Stop using the product and seek immediate medical attention if 

• Swelling   of   the   face,   lips,   tongue   or   throat which   may   cause   difficulty   in   breathing   or swallowing  

How to store Eprosartan

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. 

• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton, blister or bottle after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. 

• This medicine does not require any special storage conditions. 

• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.