Brand Name: Quinapril (KWIN a pril)
Generic name: Accupril
Uses of Accupril:
Accupril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. This medicine works by relaxing blood vessels, thus widening them. This remedy is usually prescribed to cure heart disease and high blood pressure. It also may be used to prevent kidney failure due to hypertension and diabetes. Accupril may be consumed for other aims; consult your medical practitioner or druggist in case you have any questions concerning these drugs.
What symptoms or conditions should I report to a doctor before I take this medicine?
It is very important to report to a doctor if you:
- have liver disease;
- have low blood pressure;
- are pregnant or trying to get pregnant;
- have an unusual or allergic reaction to Accupril, other medicines, dyes, foods or preservatives;
- have kidney disease;
- have high blood levels of potassium;
- have severe dehydration;
- have diabetes (poorly controlled);
- have strokes;
- have blood vessel disease (e.g., collagen vascular diseases such as lupus, scleroderma).
This remedy must be taken with caution and only when it is highly necessary during the first trimester of pregnancy. It is also not recommended to take this drug during the last 6 months of pregnancy. It is connected with the risk for fetal harm. Consult the doctor according risks and benefits. Do not forget to check Warning section. This remedy penetrates the breast milk. Breast-feeding is also not recommended due to the potential harm to the nursing infant. Please talk to your doctor before breast-feeding;
How to take this remedy?
Take Accupril two hours after or one hour before meal. You may take it with light meal. Be informed that high-fat meals can decrease the absorption of the drug into your blood. This product remedy includes that may interfere with the absorption of certain antibiotics. Make sure you checked the instructions which you can find on the prescription label. Do not forget to take your pill in regular intervals. Please don’t take the drug more often than it was prescribed. Avoid sudden stopping of taking Accupril. Your medical practitioner will provide you on how much medicine you need to take. If your medical practitioners want you to stop the medicament, the doses will be slowly reduced in the course of time to avoid any side effects.
Please consult your doctor concerning the use of this remedy in children since special care may be needed.
Overdosage:
Symptoms of overdosage may be as follows:
slow or fast heartbeat, which is unusual for you; severe dizziness, or fainting. If you think you have taken too much of this remedy, then please contact a poison control center or an emergency room immediately.
Note: This remedy was prescribed to you only. Don’t share this medicament with others.
What should be done if I miss the dose?
If you miss the dose, try to take it as soon as you have the opportunity. If it is time to take your next dose, then take only one dose. You don’t have to double the dose.
Interactions may occur with:
- lithium, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as celecoxib, ibuprofen, indomethacin)
- do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without consulting your doctors
- quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), tetracycline antibiotics
- trimethoprim-containing medications (e.g., sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim)
- drugs that suppress the immune system (e.g., azathioprine)
- potassium-sparing “water pills” (diuretics such as amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene)
- other heart drugs (e.g., digoxin)
- “water pills” (diuretics such as furosemide)
- other high blood pressure medications
Remember that this list of interactions may be not complete. Provide your medical practitioners entire list of medicines, herbs, dietary supplements or non-prescription drugs you take. Besides tell them whether you smoke, drink alcohol, use illegal drugs.
Which side effects can I perceive from Accupril?
Side effects that you should immediately report to your doctor:
- allergic reactions like difficulty breathing, skin rash, swelling of the lips, face or tongue, itching or hives
- decreased sexual ability
- fainting
- change in the amount of urine
- persistent nausea
- chest pain
- yellowing eyes or skin
- blood in the urine
- difficulty breathing
- signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, persistent sore throat)
- stomach/abdominal pain
- dark urine
- persistent fatigue
Side effects that generally don’t need medical control
(inform your doctor if they maintain or become inconvenient):
- nausea
- dizziness
- fatigue
- light-headedness
- dry cough or blurred vision
- vomiting
- back pain
Please note the list of interactions may be not complete.
What do I have to know using this medicament?
Consult your doctor or health care professional on a regular basis. You have to check your pulse rate and blood pressure often. Consult the doctor or health care professional what your blood pressure and pulse rate should be and in which cases you need to contact them.
Before having surgery, tell your dentist or doctor that you are taking this medication. Caution is needed if using this drug in the elderly age because they may be more sensitive to its side effects, especially dizziness.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. That is why don’t drive, don’t use machinery and don’t do anything that needs mental care until you are aware this medicament affects you. Avoid standing up or sitting quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This may reduce the risk of fainting or dizzy spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medication, that is why don’t drink alcohol.
How should this medicine be stored?
Keep away from children and animals. Keep the remedy at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59-86 degrees F). Protect from moisture and humidity. Keep the package tightly closed. Throw away any remaining drug after the expiration date.
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