Accupro - (Quinapril)

Taking your first dose

Take special care when you have your first dose of Accupro or if your dose is increased. It may cause a greater fall in blood pressure than later doses. This may make you feel dizzy or light-headed. If this happens, it may help to lie down. If you are concerned, please talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

What’s the dose?

• For treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) the starting dose is usually 10 mg a day, which may be increased gradually up to a maximum of 80 mg a day.

• For the treatment of heart failure or if you are also taking water tablets (diuretics) to treat your high blood pressure, or you have kidney disease, the starting dose is usually 5 mg, which may be increased up to a maximum of 40 mg a day.

• Accupro should not be used in children under 12 years of age.

Could it interact with other tablets?

Tell your doctor if you are taking, or have recently taken, any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription. This is because Accupro can affect the way some medicines work and some medicines can have an effect on Accupro.

In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• Other medicines to help lower your blood pressure.

• Water tablets (diuretic medicines).

• Medicines to break up blood clots (usually given in hospital).

• Beta-blocker medicines, such as atenolol and propranolol.

• Nitrate medicines (for heart problems).

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat pain and arthritis.

• Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic acid), if you are taking more than 3 grams each day.

• Medicines for depression and for mental problems, including lithium.

• Potassium tablets or salt substitutes that have potassium in them.

• Insulin or medicines that you take by mouth for diabetes.

• Medicines used to treat asthma.

• Medicines to treat nose or sinus congestion or other cold remedies (including those you can buy in the pharmacy).

• Medicines to suppress the body’s immune response (immunosuppressants).

• Allopurinol (for gout).

• Procainamide (for heart beat problems).

• Medicines that contain gold, such as sodium aurothiomalate, which may be given to you as an injection.

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

If you experience any of the following reactions, stop taking Accupro and see your doctor immediately:

 • Severe allergic reactions. The signs may include sudden onset of: 

• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat. This may make it difficult to swallow.

• Severe or sudden swelling of your hands, feet and ankles.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Severe itching of the skin (with raised lumps).

• Severe skin disorders, like a sudden, unexpected rash or burning, red or peeling skin (very rare, affects less than 1 user in 10,000).

• An infection with symptoms such as fever and serious deterioration of your general condition, or fever with local infection symptoms such as sore throat/pharynx /mouth or urinary problems (very rare, affects less than 1 user in 10,000).

Other possible side effects:
Common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100)

• Headache.

• Feeling dizzy or light-headed, especially if you stand up quickly.

• Diarrhoea.

• A dry cough that does not go away.

• Being sick (vomiting)

• Kidney problems (shown in a blood test).

While taking 'Accupro', if you develop any of the following symptoms you should let you doctor know immediately:

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).

• a dry cough which is persistent for a long time.

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

If you drink alcohol while taking 'Accupro', it may cause your blood pressure to drop and you may experience dizziness, light-headedness or faintness. You should also keep your alcohol intake to a minimum.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

• Accupro cannot be used during pregnancy or while breast feeding.

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

1. Medicines.ie Website - Accupro SPC http://www.medicines.ie/medicine/6796/SPC/Accupro+Tablets/

2. Medicines.ie Website- Accupro PIL 

3. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/heart-and-blood/medicines/accupro.html