Univasc

Generic name: Moexipril
Drug class: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Usage of Univasc

Univasc is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme.

Univasc is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Univasc may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Univasc side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic Reaction: hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Univasc may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, painful mouth sores, cough, trouble breathing;

little or no urinating; or

high potassium--nausea, slow or unusual heart rate, weakness, loss of movement.

Common side effects of Univasc may include:

cough, runny or stuffy nose;

headache, dizziness, tired feeling;

increased urination;

diarrhea;

muscle pain; or

mild skin itching or rash.

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.

Before taking Univasc

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to Univasc or similar medications--Benazepril, Captopril, Enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, or trandolapril.

If you have diabetes, do not use Univasc together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo).

You may also need to avoid taking Univasc with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

To make sure Univasc is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

liver disease;

heart disease or congestive heart failure;

if you are on a low-salt diet; or

a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis.

Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away. Univasc can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

It is not known whether moexipril passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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How to use Univasc

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not take Univasc in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Univasc is usually taken 1 hour before meals.

Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking Univasc. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure.

While using Univasc, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor's office. Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Univasc. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Warnings

Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking Univasc and tell your doctor right away.

If you have diabetes, do not use Univasc together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo).

What other drugs will affect Univasc

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

lithium;

a blood thinner such as warfarin, Coumadin; or

a diuretic or "water pill";

gold injections to treat arthritis;

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), Celecoxib, diclofenac, Indomethacin, Meloxicam, and others;

a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con; or

salt substitutes that contain potassium.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with moexipril, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.