Accupril-Accupro

Available with the product brand name quinapril, Accupril-Accupro belongs in a class of drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These ACE inhibitors are commonly used for treating high blood pressure and heart failure. They are also used for preventing kidney failure due to diabetes and hypertension.

1. Why is this drug prescribed? Accupril is in a family of drugs known as "ACE inhibitors." It is used to treat high blood pressure. The medication can be taken alone or in combination with a thiazide type of water pill such as HydroDIURIL.

Accupril works by preventing angiotensin I - a chemical in the blood - from converting into a more potent form that increases salt and water retention in your body. The drug also improves the flow of blood throughout the blood vessels. Together with other drugs, Accupril is also prescribed in the treatment of congestive heart failure.

2. Most important fact about this drug: For getting effective results, you must take Accupril on a regular basis. As blood pressure declines gradually, it may be several weeks before you get the full benefit of Accupril. In addition, you must continue taking it even if you are feeling well. The medication does not cure high blood pressure; it merely keeps it under control.

3. How should you take this medication? Take Accupril precisely as suggested. You can take it with or without meals. Alcohol may improve the effect of this drug, and could reason fainting or dizziness. Keep away from alcoholic beverages until you have checked with your doctor. See your doctor regularly to ensure the drug is working properly without any unwanted side effects. Do not stop taking this drug without first consulting your physician

If you miss a dose, take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. Though, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and return to your usual schedule. Never try to double the dose.
Storage instructions - Accupril can be stored at room temperature. Keep the drug from light.
4. What side effects may occur? Side effects of Accupril cannot be predictable. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor immediately. Only your doctor can find out if it is safe for you to continue taking this medication.

More common side effects may include headache and dizziness. Abdominal pain, coughing, fatigue, nausea and vomiting are the less common side effects.
Rare side effects may include bleeding in the stomach or intestines, Angina (severe chest pain), back pain, bronchitis, changes in heart rhythm, constipation, depression, dimmed vision, diarrhea, dizziness when first standing up, dry mouth or throat, extremely high blood pressure, fainting, fluid accumulation and swelling, gas, hair loss, heart attack, heart failure, hepatitis, muscle pain, high potassium, impotence, increased blood pressure, inflammation of the pancreas, severe allergic reactions, skin peeling, inflammation of the sinuses, insomnia, itching, kidney failure and stroke. Swelling of the mouth and throat, joint pain, increased sweating, rapid heartbeat, rash, indigestion, low blood pressure, nervousness, vague feeling of illness, numbness/tingling, palpitations, sensitivity to light, sleepiness, sore throat, urinary tract infection and vertigo are also associated with this medicine.

5. Why should this drug not be prescribed? You should not take this medication, if you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to Accupril or similar drugs, such as Capoten and Vasotec. Ensure your doctor is aware of any drug reactions you have experienced.
6. Special warnings about this medication: Especially during the first few days of Accupril therapy, you may feel light-headed. Notify your doctor if this occurs. If you really faint, stop taking the medication until you have consulted with your doctor. Diarrhea, vomiting, and heavy perspiration can all reduce your body fluid; and dehydration can source your blood pressure to drop. If this leads to light-headedness or fainting, you should consult your doctor. Prior to undergoing surgery or anesthesia, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Accupril.
You should contact your doctor as soon as possible, if you develop swelling of the face, tongue, lips, or throat, or of your arms and legs, or have difficulty swallowing or breathing. In these cases, you may need emergency treatment. Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without consulting your doctor.

Contact your doctor immediately, if you develop a sore throat, fever, or any other sign of infection. It could be a sign of a more serious illness. If you are taking Accupril, your doctor will do a complete assessment of your kidney function and will watch it closely as long as you are taking this drug.

Stop taking the drug and notify your doctor immediately, if you notice a yellow tinge to your skin and the whites of your eyes. This could indicate liver damage. The safety and effectiveness of Accupril in children have not been established.

7. Possible food and drug interactions: when Accupril is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be decreased, increased, or altered. It is particularly significant to discuss with your doctor earlier than combining Accupril with the following:
Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)

Tetracycline (Sumycin)

Magnesium

Potassium supplements such as Slow-K and K-Dur

Diuretics such as Lasix

Potassium-sparing diuretics such as Aldactone, Dyazide, and Moduretic

Salt substitutes containing potassium

8. Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding: When used in pregnancy during the second and third trimesters, ACE inhibitors such as Accupril have been shown to cause injury and even death to the unborn child. If you are pregnant, discontinue the drug as soon as possible. If you plan to become pregnant, ensure your doctor knows you are taking Accupril.
This medication appears in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. If this medication is necessary to your health, your doctor may give advice to discontinue breastfeeding until your treatment is finished.

9. Recommended dosage:
For High Blood Pressure
The usual starting dose of Accupril is 10 or 20 milligrams taken once a day. Your starting dose may be lower, if you are also taking a diuretic or if you have any problems with your kidneys. The usual starting dose for adults over age 65 is 10 milligrams. Based on how your blood pressure responds, your doctor may increase the dose up to a total of 80 milligrams a day taken once a day or divided into two doses.

For Congestive Heart Failure
The usual starting dose is 5 milligrams taken twice a day. Your doctor may increase the dose from week to week, up to as much as 20 to 40 milligrams each day, divided into 2 equal doses. The dosage will be lower if you have any kidney problems.

10. Over dosage: Any medicine taken in surplus can have severe consequences. Seek medical attention immediately if you suspect an overdose. The initial sign of an Accupril overdose is a severe drop in blood pressure.
Caution! It is very important that you should consult your doctor before starting to take Accupril. Do not use it on your own initiative, without medical advice.


Accupril Notes
Known by the generic name Quinapril and having the product name Accupro, accupril is a medication used to treat high blood pressure. It is taken alone or in conjunction with a water pill that contains thiazide like HydroDIURIL. Belonging to the family of drugs called "ACE inhibitors”, the medication helps in averting angiotensin I, a chemical in the blood, from being converted to a more effective form that causes an increase in salt and water retention in the body. The drug is also found to improve the flow of blood all through the blood vessels. For the treatment of congestive heart failure, Accupril together with other drugs is also prescribed.

Before taking this medication, it is highly significant that you are aware of all the necessary prescription information and accupril mg instructions so as to avoid over dosage and following after effects. As it helps in declining blood pressure declines slowly, taking this drug regularly is highly beneficial; though it may take several weeks to show results. You should also carry on taking the drug even after your blood pressure has sustained to normal level as it does not treat but keeps the blood pressure under control.

However, certain side effects of taking accupril can develop in some. Some of the common side effects include head ache and dizziness and some times mild abdominal pain, fatigue, coughing, vomiting, nausea, etc. Rare side effects may include angina or chest pain, back pain, heart rhythm changes, high or low blood pressure, gas, swelling, hair loss, fluid accumulation, hepatitis, insomnia, heart failure, indigestion, stomach or intestine bleeding, pancreatic inflammation, sweating, sinus inflammation, muscle pain, rashes, palpitations, allergies, skin peeling, sleepiness, infection of urinary tract, vertigo, diarrhea, constipation, mouth and throat swelling, kidney failure, itching, impotence, high potassium, etc.