Fosinopril is used on its own or together with other medicines to keep your blood pressure under control. This medicine relaxes your blood vessels and this helps to lower your blood pressure.
This medicine may also be used to treat other conditions such as heart failure.
Take Fosinopril exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Fosinopril must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, inform your doctor and pharmacist.
Alert you doctor if you have the following conditions:
- previously experienced a serious allergic reaction which causes swelling of the face and throat due to an unknown reason or a family history
- ascites (a condition causing excessive fluid buildup in the abdomen) due to severe liver disease
as Fosinopril may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. Fosinopril may cause harm to your unborn child.
Do not take this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Do not take Fosinopril if you have taken or is currently taking sacubitril/valsartan (medicine used to treat long-term heart failure) or if you are taking other medicines used to treat high blood pressure such as aliskiren if you have diabetes or kidney disease. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease such as narrowing of the heart valves or abnormally thick heart muscle
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- diabetes
- immune system diseases affecting the collagen
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child or the elderly. Children or elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are of a Black race, Fosinopril may be less effective. Inform your doctor if you are taking this medicine.
If you are going for an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
If you are going for certain laboratory tests or treatment to reduce allergy to bee or wasp stings (desensitisation), inform your doctor that you are taking this medicine.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. kidney function, electrolyte levels, complete blood count with differentials) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your blood pressure may rise or fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure during treatment.
- Regular monitoring of skin or allergic reactions may also be needed.
What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my blood pressure?
Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help lower your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Engage in physical activity (e.g. walking) at least 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week. If you have not exercised for a long time, start with light exercises such as slow walks. Speak to your doctor about what type of exercise would be suitable for you. Follow a healthy diet plan by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products and reduce your intake of foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Cutting down on deep-fried foods and using less salt when cooking can kick-start your healthy diet.
If you smoke, you should try to quit. Smoking is harmful to your blood pressure, heart and overall health. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to kick your smoking habit.
Try to keep stress levels under control as stress will cause your blood pressure to go up.
Fosinopril may cause dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
You may experience dizziness when getting up from a sitting or lying down position, especially if you are taking this medicine for the very first time. This is common and should improve gradually as you get used to Fosinopril. It will help if you get up slowly from a sitting or lying position. If you are taking Fosinopril for the very first time, take the first dose at bedtime to minimize dizziness.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, chest pain, dry cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, muscle pain, tiredness, and weakness.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- swelling of the hands, legs, face, or mouth
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- yellowing of the eyes or skin, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
This medicine may cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, or a cough or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Do not take Fosinopril if you have taken or is currently taking sacubitril/valsartan (medicine used to treat long-term heart failure).
Do not take Fosinopril with aliskiren (medicine used to treat high blood pressure) if you have diabetes or kidney disease.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicine for mood disorders e.g. lithium
- other medicines for high blood pressure e.g. doxazosin, prazosin
- water pills or medicine for water retention
- medicines for pain and inflammation e.g. diclofenac, ibuprofen
- medicines for diabetes e.g. insulin, metformin, glibenclamide
- potassium supplements (either as a medicine or a as a salt substitute)
- medicines for chest pain e.g. isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. sirolimus, everolimus, ciclosporin
- racecadotril (medicine used to treat diarrhoea)
- heparin (blood-thinning medicine)
- trimethoprim (antibiotic)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Fosinopril.
Fosinopril should not be taken with antacids as antacids could reduce the effectiveness of this medicine. If you must take an antacid, there should be at least a 2-hour interval between the antacid and Fosinopril.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Cut down on your salt intake. This may help lower your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Discuss with your doctor or dietitian about ways to cut down on your salt intake.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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