Has your doctor prescribed you a medicine called Fosinopril for high blood pressure (as we usually call it) or for a heart condition? If so, this article will be very important to you. Maybe your mother or father has been prescribed this medicine. So today, let's talk simply and friendly about this medicine called Fosinopril, what it does to our body, and what we need to be careful about while using it.
What kind of medicine is Fosinopril?
Simply put, Fosinopril is a medication that is mainly used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure . Sometimes, doctors may prescribe it for other conditions as well.
Think of the blood vessels in your body as pipes that carry water. If these pipes become narrow, the motor has to work harder to pump the water, right? In the same way, when our blood vessels become narrow, our heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. This is what we call high blood pressure, or high blood pressure.
Fosinopril works by relaxing and widening the narrowed blood vessels. This allows blood to flow more easily without any obstruction. This greatly reduces the workload on the heart. This medication belongs to a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors .
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before you start taking Fosinopril, it is important that your doctor is aware of your complete health status. This medicine may not be compatible with some medical conditions. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Health condition or habit | Why should you inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | This is very important. Fosinopril can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. So tell your doctor right away if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
| Kidney or liver disease | This medicine is eliminated from the body through the kidneys and liver. So if you have problems with these organs, you may need to change the dose or use a different medicine. |
| Previous allergies | If you have previously experienced swelling of the face, lips, or tongue and difficulty breathing ( angioedema ) due to another ACE inhibitor, Fosinopril, an insect bite, or other cause, you should definitely mention it. |
| Other medical conditions | Tell us if you have heart disease, blood vessel disease, immune system diseases like lupus, bone marrow disease, or already have low blood pressure. |
| Special eating patterns | If you are following a special diet, such as a low-salt diet, inform your doctor about that as well. |
How should I use the medicine?
It's very simple. Just use the correct dosage as prescribed by your doctor.
- At the same time every day: Make a habit of taking your medicine at the same time every morning and at the same time every night. This will help keep the medicine working at the same level.
- Before or after food?: This medicine can be taken before or after food. However, some people may experience stomach discomfort, so it is better to take it with food.
- Don't stop: Don't stop taking your medication until your doctor tells you to. Even if you think you're feeling better now, it's possible that your blood pressure is under control because of the medication.
Warning: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you. It may be dangerous.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If this happens, don't worry. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (for example, if your next dose is due in two or three hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, do not take it lightly. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
If you are taking other medications while taking Fosinopril, some medications may interact with each other. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and traditional medicines).
- Sacubitril; valsartan: Taking Fosinopril with this medication is strictly prohibited.
- Other blood pressure medications and water pills (diuretics): Taking these together can cause your blood pressure to drop too low.
- Painkillers (NSAIDs): Over-the-counter medications (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Diclofenac that you can buy for headaches and body aches can interfere with the action of Fosinopril. They can also affect your kidneys. So, ask your doctor before taking these medications.
- Potassium-containing foods: Fosinopril can increase potassium levels in the body. Therefore, do not take potassium pills or salt substitutes that contain potassium without consulting your doctor.
- Lithium and Antacids: These can also interact with Fosinopril.
Side effects to watch out for when taking Fosinopril
Like any medicine, Fosinopril can cause side effects in some people. Although most of these are minor, there are some things we should be especially aware of.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Severe allergy (Angioedema) | Skin rash, itching, sudden swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, hands or feet, difficulty swallowing or breathing. This is a very serious emergency. Go to an ETU immediately. |
| Kidney damage | Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, and yellowing of the eyes or skin. |
| The pressure is very low. | Severe dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Increased potassium levels | Muscle weakness, irregular or rapid heartbeat. |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Dry cough | This is a common side effect for many people taking ACE inhibitors. If you have a persistent, dry cough without phlegm, tell your doctor . |
| Other common disorders | Dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. |
Other things to consider
- Dizziness and drowsiness: You may feel dizzy and drowsy when you first start taking this medicine. Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until your body adjusts to the medicine. When getting up from a chair or bed, do not get up suddenly. Get up slowly.
- Exercise and sweating: Excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting can cause your blood pressure to drop significantly due to the loss of water and salts from your body. Taking this medication at such times can be dangerous. So ask your doctor what to do in such a situation.
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can increase dizziness and drowsiness. It can also affect blood pressure.
Take-Home Message
- Fosinopril is a very important medicine for high blood pressure and heart disease. Take it at the same time every day, as the doctor told you.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking, any other illnesses you have (especially kidney disease), and any allergies you may have.
- Avoid taking this medicine if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor immediately.
- If your face, lips, or tongue swells and you have difficulty breathing, it is an emergency. Go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- You may experience things like a dry cough and dizziness. But don't panic, talk to your doctor and get advice. Don't keep anything to yourself.
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