Fosinopril

CAUTION:
Do not take fosinopril if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking fosinopril, call your doctor without delay. Fosinopril may harm the fetus.

General Information and Indications:

Fosinopril is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. It is also used in combination with other medications to treat heart failure. Fosinopril is in a class of medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It works by decreasing certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels, so blood flows more smoothly and the heart can pump blood more efficiently.

Information For Users:

Fosinopril comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day. To help you remember to take fosinopril, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take fosinopril exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of fosinopril and slowly increase your dose.

Fosinopril controls high blood pressure and heart failure but does not cure them. Continue taking fosinopril even if you feel well. Do not discontinue taking fosinopril without informing your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine

special precautions:

o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergy to fosinopril, benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), trandolapril (Mavik), or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: diuretics ('water pills'); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); and potassium supplements. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
o if you are taking antacids (Maalox, Mylanta), take them 2 hours before or after fosinopril.
o Inform your doctor if you are on dialysis and if you have or have ever had lupus; scleroderma; heart failure; high blood pressure; diabetes; or liver or kidney disease.
o Inform your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking fosinopril.
o you should know that diarrhea, vomiting, not drinking enough fluids, and sweating a lot can cause a drop in blood pressure, which may cause lightheadedness and fainting.

Talk to your doctor before using salt substitutes containing potassium. If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these instructions carefully.

Possible Adverse Effects:

Fosinopril may cause adverse effects. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:

o dizziness
o cough
o upset stomach
o vomiting
o diarrhea
o headache
o extreme tiredness (fatigue)
o weakness

Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor without delay:

o swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
o hoarseness
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o yellowing of the skin or eyes, jaundice
o fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection
o lightheadedness
o fainting

Possible Symptoms of Overdose:

o dizziness
o lightheadedness
o fainting

Brand Name(s):

o Monopril®

Other Name(s):

o Monopril®-HCT containing Fosinopril Sodium and Hydrochlorothiazide