Accupril Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Quinapril hydrochloride

Accupril is in a group of drugs known as angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors). It is used in the treatment of high blood pressure. You can also be taken medicine alone or in combination with a thiazide type of water pill such as HydroDIURIL. It works by preventing a chemical in your blood known as angiotensin I from converting into a more potent form that increases salt and water retention in your body. It also enhances blood flow throughout your blood vessels. Accupril is also prescribed in the treatment of congestive heart failure.

Accupril Dosage

• For high blood pressure, the usual starting dose is 10 or 20 milligrams taken once a day. If you have any problems with your kidneys or if you are also taking a diuretic, then your starting dose may be lower.
• For congestive heart failure, the usual starting dose is 5 milligrams taken twice a day. Your doctor may also increase the dose from week to week, up to as much as 20 to 40 milligrams daily, divided into 2 equal doses.

Uses of Accupril

• Accupril is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
• This medication is also used with other drugs (e.g., "water pills"/diuretics, digoxin) to treat congestive heart failure.

Side Effects of Accupril

If you are taking this medication, then discuss the side effects with your doctor. If you feel any change in intensity, then you should tell your doctor. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Accupril. Side effects may include:

• Dizziness
• headache
• Abdominal pain
• coughing
• fatigue
• nausea
• vomiting

Warnings and precautions before taking Accupril:

• You should tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to quinapril, benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, ramipril, trandolapril, or any other medications.
• You should also tell your doctor and pharmacist, if you are taking prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products.
• If you have or have ever had heart, liver, or kidney disease; lupus; scleroderma; diabetes; or angioedema, a condition that causes difficulty swallowing or breathing and painful swelling of the the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs, then you should tell your doctor.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking certain drugs with Accupril, then it may decreased, increased or altered the effects of Accupril medicine. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Accupril with the following:

• Diuretics such as Lasix
  
• Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
  
• Magnesium
  
• Potassium-sparing diuretics such as Aldactone, Dyazide, and
• Moduretic
  
• Potassium supplements such as Slow-K and K-Dur
  
• Salt substitutes containing potassium
  
• Tetracycline (Sumycin)

Overdose

When you are taking Accupril, and you feel that overdose is suspected then contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms of an Accupril overdose may include:-

• dizziness
• weakness
• fainting