eprosartan mesilate at a glance
Medicine class
Angiotensin II receptor blocker, also called an ARB.
Licensed use
Essential hypertension in adults.
Food
The tablet may be taken with or without food.
Key checks
Blood pressure, kidney function and blood electrolytes, particularly potassium.
What is eprosartan mesilate used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
Treatment of essential hypertension.
How does eprosartan mesilate work?
Eprosartan selectively blocks angiotensin II at AT1 receptors. This reduces blood-vessel narrowing, aldosterone release and sodium retention, helping blood vessels relax and blood pressure fall.
eprosartan mesilate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 300 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg
How to take eprosartan mesilate
Take the film-coated tablet according to the prescription label. It can be taken with or without food. Speak to a pharmacist or prescriber before changing or stopping treatment.
The selected tablet contains lactose.
Dizziness or tiredness can occur; avoid driving or operating machinery if affected.
eprosartan mesilate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Runny nose
- Rash or itching
- Weakness or lack of energy
Get urgent medical advice
- Angioedema causing sudden facial, lip, tongue or throat swelling
- Intestinal angioedema causing abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Low blood pressure causing severe dizziness, fainting or collapse
- Worsening kidney function, particularly in people already at risk
eprosartan mesilate in pregnancy
Eprosartan should not be started during pregnancy and is contraindicated during the second and third trimesters because ARBs can harm fetal kidney and skull development. Anyone planning pregnancy or who becomes pregnant while taking it should contact their prescriber promptly. Later exposure may require specialist fetal monitoring.
eprosartan mesilate while breastfeeding
Eprosartan is not recommended during breastfeeding because direct evidence is lacking. Treatment with better-established breastfeeding safety is generally preferred, particularly for a newborn or premature infant.
eprosartan mesilate interactions
Important interactions include medicines that affect kidney function, potassium or the renin–angiotensin system.
ACE inhibitors or other ARBs
Combined renin–angiotensin system blockade increases the risks of low blood pressure, high potassium and impaired kidney function and is generally not recommended.
Aliskiren
The combination is contraindicated in people with diabetes or specified kidney impairment and otherwise requires careful specialist consideration.
Common questions about eprosartan mesilate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is eprosartan mesilate used for?
The selected UK product is licensed to treat essential hypertension.
Is eprosartan mesilate an ACE inhibitor?
No. It is an angiotensin II receptor blocker, which blocks AT1 receptors rather than inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme.
Can eprosartan mesilate be taken with food?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.