|
What is the most important information I should know about
fosinopril?
|
|
• |
Do not take fosinopril if you are pregnant or could become
pregnant during treatment. When used during the second and third
trimesters of pregnancy, fosinopril can cause injury to, and even death
of, the developing baby. Notify your doctor immediately if you think you
might be pregnant. |
|
• |
Fosinopril may increase the risk of dangerous allergic
reactions. Before taking fosinopril, tell your doctor if you have ever
had an allergic reaction that involved swelling of the lips, face,
tongue, or throat or difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical
attention if you develop any of these symptoms while taking fosinopril.
|
|
• |
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Fosinopril may cause dizziness or drowsiness.
If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities and
notify your doctor. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying
position. |
|
• |
Heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or other causes of fluid
loss may lead to very low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting during
therapy with fosinopril. Maintain proper fluid intake to prevent
dehydration and related adverse effects. |
|
• |
Fosinopril is in a class of drugs called
angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors). |
|
• |
Fosinopril is used to lower blood pressure and to treat
congestive heart failure. |
|
• |
Fosinopril may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide. |
|
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
fosinopril?
|
|
• |
Fosinopril may increase the risk of dangerous allergic
reactions. Before taking fosinopril, tell your doctor if you have ever
had an allergic reaction that involved swelling of the lips, face,
tongue, or throat or difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical
attention if you develop any of these symptoms while taking fosinopril.
|
|
• |
Before taking fosinopril, tell your doctor if you |
| |
· |
are on a salt-restricted diet or have high levels of
potassium in your blood; or |
| |
· |
are taking salt substitutes, potassium supplements (e.g.,
K-Dur, Klor-Con), or potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride (Midamor),
triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone). |
|
• |
You may not be able to take fosinopril, or you may require a
dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any
of the conditions listed above. |
|
• |
Fosinopril is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means
that fosinopril is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. When used
during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, fosinopril can
cause injury and even death to the developing fetus. Do not take
fosinopril if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. |
|
• |
Fosinopril passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing
infant. Do not take fosinopril without first talking to your doctor if
you are breast-feeding a baby. |
|
How should I take fosinopril?
|
|
• |
Take fosinopril exactly as directed by your doctor. If you
do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or
doctor to explain them to you. |
|
• |
Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
|
• |
Fosinopril can be taken with or without food. |
|
• |
It is important to take fosinopril regularly to get the most
benefit. |
|
• |
Do not stop taking fosinopril without first talking to your
doctor. If you stop taking this medication suddenly, your condition
could become worse. |
|
• |
Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other
medical evaluations during treatment with fosinopril to monitor progress
and side effects. |
|
• |
Store fosinopril at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
|
What happens if I miss a dose?
|
|
• |
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it
is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the
next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this
medication. |
|
What happens if I overdose?
|
|
• |
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. |
|
• |
Symptoms of a fosinopril overdose include extreme dizziness,
weakness, fainting, and fatigue. |
|
What should I avoid while taking fosinopril?
|
|
• |
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Fosinopril may cause dizziness or drowsiness.
If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities and
notify your doctor. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying
position. |
|
• |
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood
pressure and increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking
fosinopril. |
|
• |
Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while
taking fosinopril except under the supervision of a doctor. |
|
• |
Heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or other causes of fluid
loss may lead to very low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting during
therapy with fosinopril. Maintain proper fluid intake to prevent
dehydration and related side effects. |
|
What are the possible side effects of fosinopril?
|
|
• |
If you experience any of the following serious side effects,
stop taking fosinopril and call your doctor immediately or seek
emergency medical treatment: |
| |
· |
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
| |
· |
an irregular heartbeat or changes in your heartbeat; |
| |
· |
severe dizziness or fainting; or |
| |
· |
signs of an infection including a sore throat or a fever. |
|
• |
If you experience any of the following less serious side
effects, continue taking fosinopril and talk to your doctor. |
| |
· |
mild dizziness or lightheadedness; |
| |
· |
unusual fatigue or weakness; |
| |
· |
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; |
|
• |
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
|
What other drugs will affect fosinopril?
|
|
• |
Before taking fosinopril, tell your doctor if you are taking
any of the following drugs: |
| |
· |
a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others; |
| |
· |
salt substitutes that contain potassium; |
| |
· |
any of the diuretics (water pills) triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide,
Dyazide), spironolactone (Aldactone), or amiloride (Midamor); |
| |
· |
any other diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ,
HydroDiuril, others), furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), indapamide
(Lozol), and others; |
| |
· |
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others); or |
| |
· |
antacids and stomach gas medicines that contain aluminum, magnesium,
or simethicone (separate these from fosinopril doses by at least 2 hours). |
|
• |
You may not be able to take fosinopril, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking
any of the medicines listed above. |
|
• |
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with fosinopril
or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before
taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including
vitamins, minerals, and herbal products. |
|
Where can I get more information?
|
|
• |
Your pharmacist has additional information about fosinopril written
for health professionals that you may read. |
|
• |
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 condition prescribed. |
|
• |
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2005 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.07. Revision date: 12/
19/ 05. |