Accupril

Quinapril is the generic name of Accupril. This type of drug belongs to a group known as ACE inhibitors. ACE is short for “angiotensin converting enzyme”. Drugs from this particular group are mainly used to treat congestive heart failure and hypertension.

Accupril ingredients are candelilla wax, gelatin, magnesium carbonate, titanium dioxide, magnesium stearate, lactose, synthetic red iron oxide, and crospovidone. Every tablet of Accupril may contain 5, 10, 20, or 40 milligrams of quinapril. All Accupril tablets are to be administered orally.

Pregnant women, or those who are planning on having a baby, should refrain from taking Accupril without telling their doctors about their condition. Accupril taken within the pregnancy period can lead to certain birth defects. Those who intend to use Accupril should use a birth control method that is very effective. Women who get pregnant while under treatment with Accupril should immediately cease taking the medication, and should inform their health care professionals about it.

Accupril side effects include impaired reactions or thinking, diarrhea, vomiting, and heavy sweating. Sometimes these side effects can result to dehydration, which will in turn, cause electrolyte disorders, kidney failure, or extremely low blood pressure. Thus, it is recommended that patients drink 6-8 glasses of water everyday while on Accupril. Allergic reactions may be manifested through: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of tongue, lips, throat, or face; and severe pain in the stomach.

There are serious side effects associated with the use of Accupril as well. These are: fainting or feeling light-headed; fever, body aches, flu symptoms; drastic weight gain; jaundice; urinating more often or less often than usual, or not urinating at all; chest pain; bleeding or bruising; uneven heartbeats and tiredness; and severe peeling or blistering.

Accupril is not advisable to patients who are allergic to other drugs classified as ACE inhibitors, like captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), benazepril (Lotensin), trandolapril (Mavik), fosinopril (Monopril), perindopril (Aceon), lisinopril (Prinivil or Zestril), or moexpiril (Univasc).

It is also essential that patients inform their doctors about any other drug allergies or if they’re suffering from any of the following health problems before they use Accupril: liver disease; connective tissue disease like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Marfan syndrome, scleroderma, or Sjogren’s syndrome; kidney disease; diabetes; and diabetes.

In taking Accupril, make sure that it is according to how it is prescribed. This medication should not be taken in amounts more than what is recommended, or be taken longer than what the doctor advised. It is important to strictly follow the directions on the prescription label. There are times when the doctor may alter the dose to ensure that you receive optimum results.

Each dose of Accupril should be taken with a glass of water, and may be ingested either before or after eating. To check if the medication is alleviating your condition, regular blood pressure checks have to be done. The condition of the kidney and liver may also require checking.

Those who are required to go through surgery should tell their doctors about the medication. In some cases, doctors may ask patients to stop taking Accupril for some time.

If you missed a dose of Accupril, take it the moment you remember it. However, if it’s near the time for the next dose, the missed dose may be skipped. It is not appropriate to take extra doses to compensate for the missed/skipped dose.

Patients who may have overdosed on Accupril are advised to seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of overdose include extreme light headedness or dizziness, and fainting.

While Accupril is formulated to help patients with hypertension and heart failure, it requires proper use to be able to provide the best results.