What is hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril?
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from
absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.
Fosinopril is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin converting
enzyme. Fosinopril lowers blood pressure and also relieves symptoms of fluid retention.
The combination of hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril is used to treat hypertension (high blood
pressure) or congestive heart failure.
Hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril?
Do not use this medication if you are unable to urinate.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to any other ACE inhibitor, such as
benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril
(Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely take hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril:
FDA pregnancy category D.
Do not
use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Fosinopril could
cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication during pregnancy. Use an effective form of
birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during
treatment.
Hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this
medication.
Take the medicine with a full glass of water.
Some things can cause your blood pressure to get too low. This includes vomiting, diarrhea,
heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low-salt diet, or taking other diuretics (water pills). Follow
your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while taking
hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril. Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea
or vomiting.
While you are taking this medication, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular
basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Your blood and urine may also be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.
Hydrochlorothiazide can interfere with the results of a thyroid test. Tell any doctor who treats
you that you are using a thiazide diuretic.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine.
High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril at room temperature away from moisture, heat,
and light.
What happens if I miss a dose of hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril?
Your pharmacist has information about hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue,
or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness,
tingly feeling);
-
low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme
thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling);
-
dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting;
-
feeling weak, drowsy, restless, or light-headed;
-
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
-
urinating less than usual or not at all;
-
swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath; or
-
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
cough;
-
dizziness, headache, tired feeling;
-
joint or muscle pain;
-
diarrhea, constipation; or
-
mild skin rash, increased sweating.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril?
Do not use this medication if you are unable to urinate.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to any other ACE inhibitor, such as
benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril
(Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).
Before taking hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease (or
are on dialysis), liver disease, gout, lupus, diabetes, or an allergy to sulfa drugs.
Fosinopril can cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication during pregnancy.
Do not
use hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril without telling your doctor if you are
pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Avoid the regular use of salt substitutes in your diet, and do not take potassium supplements
while taking hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril, unless your doctor has told you to.
Some things can cause your blood pressure to get too low. This includes vomiting, diarrhea,
heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low-salt diet, or taking other diuretics (water pills). Follow
your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while taking
hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril. Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea
or vomiting.
What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril?
Avoid taking an antacid within 2 hours before or after you take hydrochlorothiazide and
fosinopril. Antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb fosinopril.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your
doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking
too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly
and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide
and fosinopril.
Avoid the regular use of salt substitutes in your diet, and do not take potassium supplements
while taking hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril, unless your doctor has told you to.
What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
other diuretics (water pills) or blood pressure medications;
-
gold injections to treat arthritis;
-
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
-
steroids (prednisone and others);
-
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as
aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, naproxen (Aleve,
Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others; or
-
insulin or diabetes medicine taken by mouth.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of hydrochlorothiazide and fosinopril?