Accupril is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It stops certain enzymes from narrowing blood vessels and makes the heart beat stronger.
The drug should be used as prescribed by the doctor. Never start or stop the medicine without consulting your doctor. Do not stop accupril abruptly as it may not produce the desired result. Sometimes the dose needs to be gradually decreased. It should be taken without meals and at a fixed time every day.
Inform the doctor about all the medications you are taking before you start using accupril. Lithium, potassium supplements, water pills, high blood pressure drugs, NSAIDs like quinidine, azole anti fungals, quinolones, tetracyclines or sodium polystyrene sulfonate can interact with accupril and cause serious side effects. Decongestants which are usually given as cough and cold medicines and caffeine can increase the heart rate.
Head ache, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, fatigue or dry cough can occur till the body adjusts to the medicine. Consult a doctor immediately if you experience chest pain; tingling or swelling of the hands or feet; yellowing of eyes or skin; sore throat or dizziness. These symptoms are very rare to occur. Reveal to your doctor if you have a history of angioedema, high blood levels of potassium, kidney disease or kidney dialysis, liver disease, salt restrictive diet or any other drug allergies.
Dizziness can occur while taking Accupril. So its better to stop or reduce the intake of alcohol. Caution should be taken while rising from a lying or seating position and while exercising or in hot weather. This medicine is advised to be used only during the first 3 months of pregnancy and that too if necessary. It is not known whether it excretes in reast milk. So, nursing mothers can start using it after consulting your doctor. Special care should be given to old people and children using this medicine.
The medicine should be stored at room temperature away from sun light and moisture. Never store it in the bath room. Always fix appointments at the lab and with your doctor to conduct regular check ups to know the reaction of the drug on the body.