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Northwestern Medicine Medication Instructions Ace Inhibitors

ACE inhibitors are medications used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure by relaxing blood vessels. Patients are advised not to stop taking these medications without consulting their doctor, and they should be taken as directed, often on an empty stomach. Potential side effects include dizziness, cough, and swelling, and patients should maintain a low sodium diet while avoiding salt substitutes unless approved by their doctor.

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19 views2 pages

Northwestern Medicine Medication Instructions Ace Inhibitors

ACE inhibitors are medications used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure by relaxing blood vessels. Patients are advised not to stop taking these medications without consulting their doctor, and they should be taken as directed, often on an empty stomach. Potential side effects include dizziness, cough, and swelling, and patients should maintain a low sodium diet while avoiding salt substitutes unless approved by their doctor.

Uploaded by

wadabu19811979
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Medication Instructions

Ace Inhibitors
(Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme)
Generic Brand
Benazepril Lotensin
Captopril Capoten
Enalapril Vasotec
Fosinopril Monopril
Lisinopril Prinivil, Zestril
Do not Moexipril Univasc
Quinapril Accupril
stop taking
Ramipril Altace

this medicine Trandolapril Mavik

About this Medicine


unless told ACE inhibitors are used to treat both high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart
failure (HF). They block an enzyme that causes blood vessels to constrict. This
to do so allows the blood vessels to relax and dilate. Untreated, high blood pressure can
damage to your heart, kidneys and may lead to stroke or heart failure. In HF, using
an ACE inhibitor can:
by your
• Protect your heart from further injury
• Improve your health
doctor. • Reduce your symptoms
• Can prevent heart failure.
Generic forms of ACE Inhibitors (benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, and
lisinopril) may be purchased at a lower price. There are no “generics” for Accupril,
Altace Mavik, and of Univasc. Thus their prices are higher. Ask your doctor if one
of the generic ACE Inhibitors would work for you.

How to Take
Use this drug as directed by your doctor. It is best to take these drugs, especially
captopril, on an empty stomach one hour before or two hours after meals (unless
otherwise instructed by your doctor).
Side Effects
Along with needed effects, a drug may cause some unwanted effects. Many people
will not have any side effects. Most of these side effects are mild and short-lived.
Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects occur:
• Fever and chills
• Hoarseness
• Swelling of face, mouth, hands or feet or
any trouble in swallowing or breathing
• Dizziness or lightheadedness (often a problem with the first
dose)
Report these side effects if they persist:
• Cough – dry or continuing
• Loss of taste, diarrhea, nausea, headache or unusual fatigue
• Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness
• Skin rash

Special Guidelines
• Sodium in the diet may cause you to retain fluid and increase your blood
pressure. Therefore, low sodium diets are often prescribed along with the
use of this medicine.
• Do not use salt substitutes without first talking with your doctor. Many
contain potassium and, when taken with an ACE inhibitor, result in high
levels of potassium in the blood.
• Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless told to do so by your
doctor.

Developed by:
• Do not take any other medicines (prescription or over-the-counter) without
Department of Cardiac first checking with your doctor.
Nursing with the
Department of Pharmacy • Consult your doctor about use of this medicine during pregnancy or while
and the Division of breastfeeding.
Cardiology
• Store this medicine in a tight container away from heat and moisture. Keep
this and all medicines out of the reach of children.

© Northwestern Memorial Hospital


900540 (11/04)

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