Eplecard 50mg Tablet

Eplecard Tablet is used for the treatment of high blood pressure. It contains a medicine known as eplerenone. It works by blocking the effect of aldosterone, a hormone in the body responsible for maintaining the water and salt balance.

Do not take this medicine if you are having a history of an allergy, high potassium levels, kidney or liver problems. Inform your doctor about any other medicines you are taking along with it. This medicine may increase potassium levels in your blood produces side effects like muscle cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, dizziness and headache.

This medication should be swallowed whole with a sufficient amount of water and must not be broken, crushed, or chewed. It is essential to follow the specific dosage and timing prescribed by your doctor to maintain consistent levels in your bloodstream. If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered, unless it is nearly time for the next scheduled dose.

Dosage

Overdose

Symptoms of an overdose of Eplecard Tablet may increase the side effects of this medicine. Taking too many tablets may cause your blood pressure to become low or even dangerously low. You may experience low blood pressure, expressed as a light feeling in your head, dizziness, a blurred vision, weakness, acute loss of consciousness or hyperkalaemia (high levels of potassium in the blood) expressed by muscle cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, dizziness or a headache. Seek immediate medical attention if you take too many tablets.

Missed a Dose

If you have missed taking any dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember it. However, if it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose of this medicine to make up for the forgotten dose. Do not stop taking this medicine without a doctor’s advice, as this may result in a flare-up of the symptoms.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

One of the chemical substances which control blood pressure and heart function is aldosterone. High levels of aldosterone produce changes in our body and that lead to heart-pumping problems called heart failure. Eplecard Tablet blocks the effect of aldosterone and helps in heart-related disorders and lowering blood pressure.

Directions for Use

• Take Eplecard Tablet as a whole with a sufficient amount of water. Do not break or chew the medicine.
• Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you.

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take Eplecard Tablet during pregnancy?

There is limited information available about the safety of this medicine during pregnancy, thus it is advisable to take the doctor's advice before using it in pregnancy or if you are planning to have a baby.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Eplecard Tablet while breastfeeding?

There is limited information related to the use of this medicine while breastfeeding. Hence, it is important to take your doctor's advice before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding your baby. Do not self-medicate.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Eplecard Tablet?

This medicine may cause dizziness; thus, it is advisable not to drive or use heavy machinery if you are using this medicine.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Eplecard Tablet?

Chances of drowsiness increases if you take this medicine with alcohol. Hence, alcohol should be avoided.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

• You have any kidney or liver problems.
• You are taking medicines like lithium (used for mental illness).
• You are taking medicines like tacrolimus or cyclosporine (used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema and to prevent rejection after organ transplantation).
• Your doctor may advise a blood test before and during therapy with this medicine to measure the blood potassium levels, especially, if you are suffering from any kidney or liver problems.

Contraindications

• If you are allergic to eplerenone or any other components of this medicine.
• If you have high potassium levels in the blood.
• If you have severe liver or kidney problems.
• With other salt tablets or potassium-sparing diuretics (water pills which increases the level of potassium in the blood).
• If you are using the medicines such as ketoconazole, itraconazole (medicines to treat fungal infections), medicines used to treat HIV infection nelfinavir, ritonavir, antibiotics such as clarithromycin or telithromycin and medicines used in heart diseases such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and an angiotensin receptor blockers.

Side effects

• Increased Potassium levels
• Sleeplessness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Low blood pressure
• Vomiting
• Back pain
• Muscle cramps
• Weakness

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

• Some medicines can affect the way Eplecard Tablet works or this medicine itself can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time.
• Tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interactions.
• Especially, if you are using the medicines such as ketoconazole, itraconazole (medicines to treat fungal infections), medicines used to treat HIV infection nelfinavir, ritonavir, antibiotics such as clarithromycin or telithromycin and medicines used in heart diseases such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and an angiotensin receptor blockers.
• Ciclosporin or tacrolimus (used in the treatment of the skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema and to prevent rejection after organ transplantation).
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAID's) certain painkillers such as ibuprofen. These medicines may cause kidney problems and eventually increase the risk of high potassium levels in your blood.
• Trimethoprim (used to treat bacterial infections) may increase the risk of high potassium levels in your blood.
• Warfarin (medicine to prevent clotting) should be used catiously with Eplecard Tablet.
• St John’s Wort (herbal medicinal products), rifampicin (used to treat bacterial infections), carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital (used, among others, to treat epilepsy) may decrease the effect Eplecard Tablet.

Storage and disposal

• Keep Eplecard Tablet out of the sight and reach of children and pets.
• Do not use this medicine after its expiry date.
• Store it below 30°C in the original packaging.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Eplecard Tablet used for?

Eplecard Tablet is used in the treatment of high blood pressure, especially in patients with recent episodes of a heart attack.

How Eplecard Tablet works?

High levels of aldosterone produce changes in our body and that lead to heart-pumping problems called heart failure. This medicine blocks the effect of aldosterone on the heart and blood pressure.

What is the dose for Eplecard Tablet tablet?

The dose of Eplecard Tablet should be strictly followed as per your doctor's advice. You should not change or stop the dose of medicines without consulting your doctor.

Is Eplecard blood thinner?

No, Eplecard is not a blood thinner. It is a potassium-sparing diuretic that works by blocking the effect of aldosterone, a hormone in the body responsible for maintaining the water and salt balance.

What is the composition of Eplecard?

Eplecard composition includes eplerenone as its active component.