Fosinopril

Fosinopril is a medicine to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). This drug can also be used in the treatment of heart failure. Fosinopril can be used as a single therapy or in combination with other drugs .

Fosinopril is included in the ACE inhibitor class of antihypertensive drugs. This drug works by inhibiting the conversion or change of angiotensin I to II . This way of working will help relax the muscles of the blood vessels, so that the blood vessels widen , blood flow becomes smoother, and blood pressure can also decrease.

Fosinopril brand name: -

What is Fosinopril

Warnings Before Consuming Fosinopril

Before consuming this medicine, you need to pay attention to the following things:

• Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Fosinopril should not be given to patients who are allergic to this drug or other ACE inhibitors , such as  captopril .
• Tell your doctor if you have ever or are suffering from angioedema , liver disease, cirrhosis , kidney disease, hyperkalemia , heart failure, diabetes, Marfan syndrome , lupus, or scleroderma .
• Tell your doctor if you undergo a routine blood washing procedure or are on a low-salt diet .
• If you plan to undergo surgery or certain medical procedures, tell the doctor that you are taking fosinopril.
• Do not drive a vehicle or do activities that require alertness, after consuming fosinopril, because this drug can cause dizziness .
• Tell your doctor if you are taking any medications, herbal products, or supplements, including potassium supplements .
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant. Use effective contraception during treatment with fosinopril.
• See a doctor immediately if an allergic drug reaction , serious side effect, or overdose occurs after consuming fosinopril.

Dosage and Administration of Fosinopril

The following is the general dose of fosinopril based on the condition and age of the patient:

Condition:  Heart failure

• Adults:  10 mg, 1 time a day. The dose can be increased up to a maximum of 40 mg, 1 time a day. For patients who are at risk of experiencing hypotension, the dose can be started with 5 mg, 1 time a day.

Condition:  Hypertension

• Adults:  10 mg, 1 time a day. The first dose is given before going to bed to avoid a drastic drop in blood pressure. The maintenance dose is 10–40 mg, 1 time per day.
• Children with body weight >50 kg:  5–10 mg, 1 time per day.

How to Consume Fosinopril Correctly

Follow the doctor 's advice and read the information on the medicine package before consuming fosinopril. Do not reduce or increase the dose without first consulting a doctor.

Fosinopril should be consumed on an empty stomach or 1 hour before meals. You can drink it with food if you feel stomach pain when taking the medicine on an empty stomach.

Try to consume fosinopril at the same time every day for maximum treatment. Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting a doctor.

During treatment with fosinopril, follow the control schedule given by the doctor, so that the response to therapy and treatment can be monitored.

If you forget to take fosinopril, it is recommended to take it immediately when the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it's close, ignore it and don't double the dose.

To help lower blood pressure, while taking medicine, you should adopt a healthy lifestyle by limiting the consumption of foods high in salt,  exercising regularly for at least 30 minutes every day, and not smoking or consuming alcohol.

Store fosinopril in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.

Interactions of Fosinopril with Other Drugs

The following are some drug interactions that can occur when fosinopril is used together with other drugs:

• Increased risk of hypotension , hyperkalemia, and kidney failure , if used with aliskiren, candesartan , or irbesartan
• Increased rates and toxic effects from lithium
• Increased risk of hyperkalemia if used with potassium- sparing diuretics or potassium supplements
• Decreased levels of fosinopril in the blood if used with antacids
• Increased risk of kidney damage if used with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs )
• Increased risk of nitritoid reactions in the form of facial redness, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure if used with gold-based drugs, such as sodium aurothiomalate

Side Effects and Dangers of Fosinopril

Some of the side effects that can occur after consuming fosinopril are:

• Dizziness or headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea or stomach ache
• Cough
• Unusual fatigue

Check with your doctor if the above side effects do not subside immediately or get worse. You need to see a doctor immediately if you experience a drug allergic reaction or more serious side effects, such as:

• Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, or feet
• Chest pain , fast heartbeat, or irregular heartbeat
• Infrequent urination or volume
• Very heavy dizziness to the point of fainting
• Infectious diseases that can be marked by symptoms, such as fever , chills, or sore throat
• Liver function disorders that can be marked by certain symptoms, such as jaundice , dark colored urine, severe stomach pain, or loss of appetite