What is the most important information I should know about fosinopril?
Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away.
If you have diabetes, do not use fosinopril together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo).
What is fosinopril?
Fosinopril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme.
Fosinopril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) or heart failure.
Fosinopril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fosinopril?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to fosinopril or similar medications, such as benazepril, captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, or trandolapril.
If you have diabetes, do not use fosinopril together with any medication that contains aliskiren (such as Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo).
You may also need to avoid taking fosinopril with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
To make sure fosinopril is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
- cirrhosis or other liver disease;
- a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis;
- if you are on a low-salt diet; or
- if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction.
Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away. Fosinopril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.
Fosinopril can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 years old.
How should I take fosinopril?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Fosinopril can be taken with or without food.
Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking fosinopril. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure.
While using fosinopril, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor's office. Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the doctor ahead of time that you are using fosinopril. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking fosinopril?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can further lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of fosinopril.
Avoid taking an antacid within 2 hours before or after you take fosinopril.
Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking fosinopril, unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
What are the possible side effects of fosinopril?
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.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, painful mouth sores, cough, trouble breathing;
- little or no urinating; or
-
high potassium --nausea, slow or unusual heart rate, weakness, loss of movement.
Common side effects may include:
- cough, runny or stuffy nose;
- muscle or joint pain;
- dizziness, headache, tired feeling;
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; or
- mild skin itching or rash.
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.
What other drugs will affect fosinopril?
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
- gold injections to treat arthritis;
- lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
- a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con;
- salt substitutes that contain potassium; or
- a diuretic (water pill).
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with fosinopril, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about fosinopril.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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