Monopril HCT (Fosinopril Sodium-Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets) Drug Overview of Drug Interactions and Missed Dose for Patients and Caregivers at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Monopril HCT

ACE Inhibitors »

What are ACE inhibitors and how do they work?

The class of drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, as the class name suggests, reduces the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme. ACE converts angiotensin I produced by the body to angiotensin II in the blood. Angiotensin II is a very potent chemical that causes the muscles surrounding blood vessels to contract and narrow the blood vessels. Narrowing of blood vessels increases the pressure within the blood vessels and may lead to high blood pressure (hypertension).

By reducing the activity of ACE, ACE inhibitors decrease the formation of angiotensin II which leads to widening (dilation) of blood vessels, and thereby reduces blood pressure. By lowering blood pressure against which the heart must pump, the amount of work that the heart must do is reduced. ACE inhibitors also reduce blood pressure in the kidneys, slowing the progression of kidney disease due to high blood p...

Read the ACE Inhibitors article »

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DRUG INTERACTIONS: See also How to Use and Precautions sections.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

This drug should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: dofetilide.

If you are currently using the medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting fosinopril/hydrochlorothiazide.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: cisapride, lithium, drugs that may affect your potassium level (including drospirenone, "water pills"/diuretics such as spironolactone, corticosteroids such as prednisone), gold injections.

A very serious reaction may occur if you are getting injections for bee/wasp sting allergy (desensitization) and are also taking fosinopril/hydrochlorothiazide. Make sure all your doctors know which medicines you are using.

Cholestyramine and colestipol can decrease the absorption of hydrochlorothiazide. If you are taking either of these drugs, take them at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after taking this product.

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs such as ibuprofen for pain/fever reduction) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure or heart rate. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

Some medications may also contain aspirin, which may decrease the effect of the fosinopril in this product. If your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin for heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day), you should continue taking it unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This product may interfere with certain laboratory tests (such as parathyroid, protein-bound iodide, tyramine, phentolamine, and certain digoxin drug level tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.

Talk with your doctor about making lifestyle changes that may help this medication work better (such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes).

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as kidney/liver function, blood mineral levels such as potassium) should be performed from time to time to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to check your own blood pressure at home, and share the results with your doctor.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store at a temperature of 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage from 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.