Medications and Drugs
Pharmacy Author: Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD
Medical and Pharmacy Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
GENERIC NAME: fosinopril sodium
BRAND NAME: Monopril
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Fosinopril is in a class of drugs called
angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. ACE inhibitors are used for
treating high blood pressure, heart failure and for preventing
kidney failure
due to high blood pressure and
diabetes. Other ACE inhibitors include enalapril
(Vasotec), quinapril (Accupril), captopril (Capoten), ramipril (Altace),
benazepril (Lotensin), lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil), moexipril (Univasc) and
trandolapril (Mavik). ACE is an enzyme in blood which controls the formation of
angiotensin II, a chemical that circulates in blood and causes constriction of
arteries and veins. Constriction of arteries and veins elevates blood pressure.
ACE inhibitors inhibit ACE and block the formation of angiotensin II. By
blocking the formation of angiotensin II, fosinopril relaxes the arteries and
veins and lowers blood pressure. By reducing blood pressure, fosinopril also
reduces the work that the heart must do to pump blood through the arteries and
veins. This improves the output of blood from the heart. The FDA approved
fosinopril in May 1991.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 10, 20, and 40 mg
STORAGE: Tablets should be stored between 15 and 30 C (59- 86 F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Fosinopril is used for treating high blood pressure. Its
blood pressure lowering effect can be further enhanced by adding a diuretic
medication ("water pill") such as hydrochlorothiazide. Fosinopril also is used
for the treatment of congestive heart failure, a condition in which the heart is
not able to pump enough blood and fluid collects within the body. In patients
with congestive heart failure, the ACE inhibitor class of medications has been
shown to reduce symptoms and hospitalization and to improve survival. After a
heart attack, ACE inhibitors improve the function of the damaged heart and
reduce symptoms and hospitalizations due to congestive heart failure.
DOSING: The recommended adult dose for treating hypertension or heart failure
is 10-40 mg once or twice daily. The maximum dose is 80 mg daily. Fosinopril is
generally prescribed once daily, although some patients may need two doses per
day. Patients with reduced kidney function need lower doses since their kidneys
do not eliminate fosinopril from the body as well as normal kidneys. Fosinopril
may be taken with or without food.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Combining fosinopril with potassium supplements, potassium
containing salt substitutes, or potassium-conserving diuretics such as amiloride
(Moduretic), spironolactone (Aldactone), and
triamterene (Dyazide, Maxzide), can
lead to dangerously high blood levels of potassium (hyperkalemia) since fosinopril has a
tendency to reduce the excretion of potassium.
Fosinopril should not be taken at the same time as aluminum or
magnesium-based antacids, such as
simethicone (Mylanta, Gas-X, etc.) or Maalox since these antacids
decrease the amount of fosinopril that is absorbed from the intestine. Patients
should take antacids and fosinopril at least two hours apart.
Fosinopril can cause an increase in the amount of lithium (Eskalith,
Lithobid) in the
body in patients taking lithium, sometimes causing lithium-associated side
effects.
Aspirin and other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as
ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Medipren, Nuprin, PediaCare Fever, etc.), indomethacin
(Indocin, Indocin-SR), and naproxen (Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn, Aleve) may
reduce the effects of ACE inhibitors on blood pressure.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- ACE Inhibitors - Read about ACE inhibitors like Altace, lisinopril, enalapril, ramparil, Zestril and more. Information includes side effects, drug interactions, and pregnancy safety information.
- Liver Blood Tests - Learn about liver blood tests used to detect liver damage disease such as fatty liver, cirrhosis, hepatitis, Tylenol liver damage, and more. This includes measuring the aminotransferases enzymes (AST and ALT levels)
- Kidney Failure - Learn about kidney failure, in which the body has fluid retention, risen blood pressure, toxin build up and lack of red blood cells. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, and apetite loss.
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