Home Drug Guide Eprosartan Mesylate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Eprosartan Mesylate

Brand Names Teveten

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihypertensive

Pharmacological: Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)

FDA Approved Indications

  • Hypertension

Mechanism of Action

Eprosartan selectively blocks angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors, resulting in vasodilation and reduction of aldosterone-mediated volume expansion, thus lowering blood pressure.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Initially, 600 mg once daily. Dose may be adjusted based on response up to a maximum of 800 mg once daily.

Pediatric: Not approved for use in pediatric patients.

Geriatric: Same as adult dosing, but elderly patients should be monitored closely for hypotension, especially if they are volume-depleted or on diuretics.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dose carefully; consider starting at a lower dose and monitor renal function.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific adjustment required; use with caution and monitor liver function.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Absorbed orally with approximately 60-70% bioavailability.

Distribution: Widely distributed; protein bound (~98%).

Metabolism: Metabolized minimally; mostly excreted unchanged.

Excretion: Excreted primarily via the feces and urine.

Half Life: Approximately 6 hours.

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy (Category D), due to risk of fetal injury or death; Concurrent use with aliskiren in patients with diabetes.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis, volume-depleted states, or hepatic impairment. Monitor blood pressure, renal function, and serum potassium.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Dizziness (Common)
  • Headache (Common)
  • Neck soreness (Less common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Hypotension (Serious (rare in normotensive patients))
  • Angioedema (Rare)
  • Hyperkalemia (Less common)
  • Acute renal failure (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other antihypertensives, diuretics, potassium supplements, NSAIDs, lithium

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood pressure, renal function (BUN, serum creatinine), and serum potassium before and during therapy.

Diagnoses:

  • Ineffective tissue perfusion related to hypotension.
  • Risk for electrolyte imbalance.

Implementation: Administer as directed, typically once daily. Educate patient about orthostatic hypotension.

Evaluation: Assess blood pressure response and watch for signs of hypotension, hyperkalemia, or adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication as prescribed, even if feeling well.
  • Report any swelling, difficulty breathing, or hypersensitivity.
  • Avoid potassium-rich foods or supplements unless instructed.
  • Do not discontinue abruptly.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Fetal toxicity: Do not use during pregnancy.

Genetic Factors: Patients may have genetic variations affecting response to ARBs.

Lab Test Interference: May increase serum potassium and serum creatinine, monitoring is recommended.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Hypotension, dizziness, tachycardia or bradycardia.

Treatment: Supportive care, monitor vital signs, and provide fluids as necessary. No specific antidote.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and light.

Stability: Stable for shelf life as specified by manufacturer.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.