Inspra

Inspra is used to reduce the risk of death from heart failure following a heart attack.

Inspra is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Inspra may also be used for other reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Inspra can be taken with or without food.

You may need blood tests, and your blood pressure will need to be checked frequently.

If you have high blood pressure, continue using Inspra even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often does not have symptoms. You may need to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

You may not be able to take Inspra if you have severe kidney disease, high potassium levels in your blood, or type 2 diabetes with increased levels of albumin (a protein) in your urine.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact, and some drugs should not be used together.

You may not be able to take this medicine if you are allergic to Inspra, or if you have:

• high potassium levels in your blood (hyperkalemia);
• severe kidney disease; or
• type 2 diabetes with increased levels of albumin (a protein) in your urine.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Inspra. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

• nefazodone;
• a potassium supplement;
• an antibiotic--clarithromycin, telithromycin;
• antifungal medicine--itraconazole, ketoconazole;
• a diuretic or "water pill"--amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene; or
• antiviral medicine to treat HIV/AIDS--indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;
• diabetes;
• liver disease;
• high cholesterol or triglycerides; or
• if you take other heart or blood pressure medications.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

It is not known whether Inspra will harm an unborn baby. However, having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications such as diabetes or eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to medical problems in both mother and baby). Heart failure can get worse during pregnancy and may cause complications such as premature birth. The benefit of treating hypertension or heart failure may outweigh any risks to the baby.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Inspra may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• diarrhea, vomiting;
• little or no urination;
• fast or irregular heartbeats;
• trouble breathing;
• swelling in your feet or lower legs; or
• high potassium--nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement.

Common side effects of Inspra may include:

• high potassium;
• headache; or
• dizziness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes, unless your doctor has told you to.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect Inspra, especially:

• lithium;
• heart or blood pressure medicine--amiodarone, benazepril, diltiazem, dronedarone, enalapril, lidocaine, lisinopril, olmesartan, valsartan, verapamil, and others; or;
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect Inspra. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.