Accupril

The active ingredient in Accupril is quinapril hydrochloride, which is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or ACE inhibitor. ACE is a protein in your body that causes blood vessels to contract and raises your blood pressure. Accupril’s mechanism of action involves inhibiting this protein’s activity, causing your blood arteries to relax. This helps to reduce your blood pressure and may lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Accupril. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Accupril:

• Your blood pressure will need to be checked regularly. Your kidney and liver function may also need to be assessed.
• If you are vomiting or having diarrhoea regularly, or if you are sweating excessively, call your doctor. Accupril can easily cause dehydration. This can cause very low blood pressure, electrolyte imbalances, and kidney failure.
• Inform your doctor if you have a planned surgery.
• If you have high blood pressure, continue taking Accupril even if you feel OK. High blood pressure frequently produces no symptoms.

Some mild or common side effects of Accupril include:

• Headaches.
• Fatigue.
• Low blood pressure (hypertension).
• Stomach pain.
• Cough.
• Muscle pain.
• Nausea.
• Back pain.
• Dizziness.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Accupril. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Angioedema (extreme swelling) is characterised by swelling (of the face, arms, or legs, lips, tongue, or throat), difficulty breathing, wheezing, nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal discomfort.
• Symptoms of dangerously low blood pressure include dizziness, lightheadedness, pale skin, and feeling faint.
• Serious kidney disorders include urinating less frequently than normal, swelling in the feet, ankles, or hands, and unexplained weight gain.
• High blood potassium levels can cause nausea, muscle weakness, and irregular pulse.
• Symptoms of liver problems, such as fatigue, abdominal pain, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).
• Severe allergic reactions include swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or face, trouble breathing, and rash.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Accupril. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Accupril, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including:

• History of angioedema.
• You are allergic to any other ACE inhibitors, including benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, ramipril, or trandolapril.
• Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis are all connective tissue diseases.
• Congestive heart failure.
• Low blood pressure.
• Hyperkalemia (high potassium levels).
• If you're following a low-salt diet or taking salt substitutes.
• Low white blood cell count.
• Diabetes.
• Kidney disease, are on dialysis, or have other serious kidney problems.
• Liver problems.

Boxed Warning

When pregnancy is diagnosed, discontinue immediately; it affects the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which can cause serious injury or death to your unborn baby.

• Angioedema.
• Currently taking aliskiren (Tekturna) and have diabetes.
• Taking neprilysin inhibitors like Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) concurrently or within 36 hours.

Accupril can drop your blood pressure within an hour, but it may take up to 4 hours for the medication to have its full impact. It may take 1 to 2 weeks for any given dose to produce visible blood pressure changes. That is why you will take the drug as prescribed for a few weeks before your doctor considers any dose modifications.

When Accupril is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Lithium.
• A diuretic, or "water pill".
• Gold injections are used to treat arthritis.
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) like valsartan or losartan.
• Temsirolimus, sirolimus, and everolimus.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

High blood pressure: The typical starting dose of quinapril is 10 mg or 20 mg taken orally once daily. For persons using a diuretic (water pill), the typical starting dose is 5 mg orally once daily. The average daily dose ranges from 20 mg to 80 mg (as a single dose or divided into two equal doses throughout the day).

Heart failure: The typical starting dose is 5 mg taken orally twice daily. The normal dosage is 10 mg to 20 mg by mouth twice daily.

Your doctor may change your dose based on your age, kidney function, how well the drug is treating your disease, and whether you are experiencing adverse effects.

If you miss a dose of Accupril, take it as soon as you remember. However, skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Store at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

Pfizer is the company that manufactures Accupril.

There are several generic versions available of Accupril.

If you are taking Accupril, do not discontinue therapy without first visiting a doctor. Stopping this medication suddenly can cause an increase in your blood pressure.

If you are pregnant, do not use Accupril. Stop taking the medication and notify your doctor immediately if you become pregnant. If you use Accupril during your second or third trimester, you risk injuring or killing your unborn child.

Accupril passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you.