1. What is Uperio and what is it used for?
Uperio is a medication that contains a neprilysin inhibitor and an angiotensin receptor blocker, with two active components in one tablet: sacubitril and valsartan.
The indication for Uperio is to be used for the treatment of chronic heart failure in adults. This condition occurs when cardiac contractility is impaired, preventing the heart from pumping enough blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. The most common symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, and swelling in the ankles.
2. Important information to know before using Uperio
Patients should not use Uperio if:
- They are allergic to sacubitril, valsartan, or any other components of this medication.
- They are taking another medication known as an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (such as enalapril, lisinopril, or ramipril). ACE inhibitors are used to treat high blood pressure or heart failure. If you are taking an ACE inhibitor, wait 36 hours after your last dose before starting Uperio.
- They have personally experienced or have a family member who has experienced a reaction known as angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat, difficulty breathing) when taking an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) such as valsartan, telmisartan, or irbesartan.
- They have diabetes or kidney failure and are being treated with antihypertensive medication containing aliskiren.
- They have severe liver disease.
- They are more than 3 months pregnant (it is best to avoid this medication if there is a possibility of pregnancy).
3. How to use Upio?
Patients should always take Uperio exactly as prescribed by their doctor or pharmacist. Check with your doctor if you are unsure. The usual initial dose when taking Uperio is 24 mg/26 mg or 49 mg/51 mg taken twice daily (one tablet in the morning and one tablet in the evening, or half a tablet of Uperio 100mg each time). In some cases, the doctor may decide on a higher initial dose based on the medications the patient has taken previously. The doctor will then adjust the dosage depending on how the patient responds to the initial treatment until the optimal dose is found.
The recommended usual target dose is 97 mg/103 mg taken twice daily, which is one Uperio 100mg tablet in the morning and one in the evening.
Patients taking Uperio may experience low blood pressure, leading to dizziness or lightheadedness; elevated potassium levels in the blood detected through blood tests; or impaired kidney function. If this occurs, the doctor may reduce the dosage of any other medications the patient is taking concurrently, temporarily lower the dose of Uperio, or discontinue treatment altogether.
When taking Uperio 100mg, patients should swallow the tablet with a glass of water, and it can be taken with or without food. If you accidentally take too many Uperio tablets, contact your doctor immediately. If you experience severe dizziness or fainting, lie down and go to the nearest emergency center. If you forget to take Uperio 100mg, wait until the next scheduled dose and do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.
4. Possible side effects of using Uperio
Like all medications, Uperio can cause side effects during use, although not everyone will experience them. Some side effects of Uperio can be serious. Therefore, patients should stop taking Uperio and seek medical attention immediately if they notice symptoms such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat, which may cause difficulty breathing or swallowing. These are signs of angioedema.
Other possible side effects of Uperio include:
- Low blood pressure
- Increased potassium levels in the blood
- Decreased kidney function
- Cough
- Dizziness, headache
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
In summary, Uperio is a prescription medication used to treat adults with chronic heart failure to help reduce the risk of death and acute heart failure requiring hospitalization. The benefits of Uperio are most evident in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction below normal. However, due to the potential for side effects, patients need to adhere to the prescribed dosage of Uperio 100mg, attend regular check-ups, and monitor their condition to optimally manage heart failure.
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References: medicines.org.uk, novartis.us, england.nhs.uk
