Inspra
Overview
- About Inspra
If your doctor determines that you have high blood potassium levels or severe kidney impairment, you cannot take Inspra. You must also avoid this drug if you are taking certain medications that affect the liver (see "Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication").
You cannot take Inspra for high blood pressure if you also take potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride, spironolactone, and triamterene. Likewise, this drug cannot be used to treat high blood pressure if you have type 2 diabetes along with high protein levels in the urine (known as microalbuminuria), a condition that could signal kidney problems.
Special warnings about Inspra
Return to topInspra could cause potentially dangerous increases of blood potassium levels. Your doctor will monitor you closely to guard against this problem, especially if you also have diabetes or mild kidney or liver problems.
Use Inspra with caution if you have severe liver impairment. The drug's safety has not been studied in such people.
In clinical studies, Inspra did not appear to benefit people 75 years and older who were being treated for congestive heart failure following a heart attack. However, when treated for high blood pressure, those 65 and older experienced the same benefits as younger people.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking Inspra
Return to topBe sure to check with your doctor about the medications that should never be taken with Inspra, including:
- Clarithromycin
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Nefazodone
- Nelfinavir
- Ritonavir
- Troleandomycin
- Amiloride
- Spironolactone
- Triamterene
- Blood pressure drugs known as ACE inhibitors, such as lisinopril
- Blood pressure drugs known as angiotensin II receptor antagonists, such as irbesartan, losartan, and valsartan
- Erythromycin
- Fluconazole
- Lithium
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen
- Potassium supplements
- Saquinavir
- Verapamil
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The most likely symptoms of an Inspra overdose may include:
Dizziness, diarrhea, feeling faint or light-headed, nausea, weakness
You should never take Inspra for high blood pressure if you're also taking potassium-sparing diuretics, including:
If Inspra is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either drug could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Inspra with the following:
You should also consult your doctor before using salt substitutes that contain potassium.
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Return to topThe effects of Inspra during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
It is not known whether Inspra appears in human breast milk. If this drug is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to stop nursing until your treatment is finished.
Recommended dosage for Inspra
Return to topADULTS
Congestive heart failure after a heart attack
The recommended daily dose is 50 milligrams. Your doctor will start you at 25 milligrams once a day and gradually increase the dose to 50 milligrams once a day over a period of 4 weeks.
Your doctor will test your blood potassium levels during the first week of treatment and again after 1 month. Depending on the results, the doctor may change your dosage and continue monitoring your potassium levels.
High blood pressure
The recommended starting dose is 50 milligrams once a day. Based on your response, the doctor may increase the dose to a maximum of 50 milligrams twice a day. If you're taking certain drugs that affect the liver, the doctor may start you at a dose of 25 milligrams once a day.
Overdosage
Return to topNo cases of overdose have been reported. However, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek emergency treatment immediately.
