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Medicine, Its Use And Remidies for Ailments - Accupro
Accupro (Ak-yoo-proh) is a medicine which is used in heart failure and hypertension. Accupro contains quinapril hydrochloride. It is made by Pfizer Limited.
How your medicine works
Accupro has been prescribed for your current medical problems and should not be used for other medical problems. Do not share your medicine with other people as it may not be suitable for them and could cause them harm. In the same way, you should not use medicines that belong to other people.
The pharmacy label on your medicine tells you how much medicine you should take. It also tells you how often to take your medicine. This is the dose that you and your prescriber have agreed you should take. Depending on your response to the medicine, how the medicine works and the goals of your treatment, your prescriber may vary your dose. You should not change the dose of your medicine unless you are told to do so by your prescriber.
Accupro is a medicine which blocks the action of a chemical in the body. It is used to lower blood pressure. It can also help to reduce the amount of work the heart needs to do so it can also be used to help relieve the symptoms of heart failure.
Your prescriber may vary the dose of your medicine to find what is best for you
You will need to be under medical observation when Accupro is first started
Accupro medicine should be taken at the same time each day.
How to take your medicine
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
You can break this form of medicine in half. There is a breakline to help you break the medicine into two pieces
This medicine can be taken with or without food.
If you are having problems taking this form of Accupro, you should talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. They may be able to give you advice on other ways to take your medicine or other preparations that are easier for you to take.
Looking after your medicine
Do not store in temperatures above 25°C
Warnings
If you have been prescribed this medicine you need to be aware of the side-effects that you could develop while taking this medicine.
Accupro is not suitable for everyone and some people should never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history.
Your prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all if you:
- are allergic or sensitive to or have had a reaction to any of the ingredients in the medicine
- are breast-feeding
- are elderly
- are going to have a procedure under anaesthesia
- are having desensitisation therapy to reduce your reaction to insect venom
- are having low density lipoprotein apheresis
- are on haemodialysis
- are pregnant
- are prone to angioedema
- have certain heart problems
- have collagen vascular disease
- have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
- have had angioedema as a result of taking an ACE inhibitor in the past
- have hypovolaemia
- have kidney problems
- have low blood pressure
- have metabolic problems
- have risk factors for salt and water imbalances such as having a diet low in sodium
Furthermore, the prescriber may not prescribe this medicine for a child or an adolescent.
As part of the process of assessing suitability to take this medicine a prescriber may also arrange tests:
- to check that this medicine is not having any undesired effects
Over time it is possible that Accupro can become unsuitable for some people, or they may become unsuitable for it. If at any time it appears that Accupro has become unsuitable, it is important that the prescriber is contacted immediately.
Side EffectsEveryone's reaction to a medicine is different. It is difficult to predict which side-effects you will have from taking a particular medicine, or whether you will have any side-effects at all. The important thing is to tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you are having problems with your medicine.
The frequency of these side-effects is unknown -
- abnormal laboratory test results
- anaphylactic reactions - some of these anaphylactic reactions may be life-threatening
- angioedema of the face, lips, tongue, glottis or larynx. Angioedema of the tongue, glottis or larynx may lead to breathing problems which may be fatal. If you develop a hoarse voice or angioedema you must immediately seek medical advice
- angioedema of the stomach or bowel
- back pain
- balance problems
- blood and bone marrow problems
- blurred vision
- breathing difficulties
- bronchitis
- bronchospasm
- chest pain
- confusion
- constipation
- cough
- depression
- diarrhoea
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- eye or eyesight problems
- fainting or brief loss of consciousness
- faster heart rate
- feeling nervous
- flatulence
- gastrointestinal problems
- headaches
- heart attack
- impotence
- indigestion
- inflammation of the tongue
- itching
- joint pain
- kidney problems - certain types of kidney problems may be fatal
- liver problems
- lowered blood pressure
- metabolic problems
- muscle pain or tenderness
- nausea
- oedema
- palpitations
- pancreatitis - this may be fatal
- paraesthesiae
- pharyngitis
- rhinitis
- sinusitis
- skin problems such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, hair loss, urticaria, erythema multiforme or a psoriasis-like rash may occur with a fever
- skin rash or rashes
- sleeping problems
- stomach pain
- stroke
- taste changes
- tinnitus
- tiredness
- upper respiratory tract infection
- urinating less or less often - in people with heart failure
- vomiting
- weakness
Interactions with everyday activities
If you have been prescribed this medicine you and your prescriber may need to think about whether you need to change any of your everyday activities. You must also discuss with your prescriber any other medicines and any complementary preparations you are taking.
Taking other medicines
If you are taking more than one medicine they may interact with each other. At times your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, in other cases this may not be appropriate.
The decision to use medicines that interact depends on your specific circumstances. Your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, if it is believed that the benefits of taking the medicines together outweigh the risks. In such cases, it may be necessary to alter your dose or monitor you more closely.
Tell your prescriber the names of all the medicines that you are taking so that they can consider all possible interactions. This includes all the medicines which have been prescribed by your GP, hospital doctor, dentist, nurse, health visitor, midwife or pharmacist. You must also tell your prescriber about medicines which you have bought over the counter without prescriptions.
The following medicines may interact with Accupro:
- allopurinol
- furosemide
- insulin
- lithium
- procainamide
- tetracycline
- anaesthetics
- antacids
antidiabetics
- antihypertensives
- barbiturates
- corticosteroids
- cytostatics
- diuretics
- immunosuppressant medicines
- narcotics
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
- potassium sparing medicines
- potassium supplements
- vasodilators
If you are taking Accupro and one of the above medicines or types of medicines, make sure your prescriber knows about it.
Complementary preparations and vitamins
Medicines can interact with complementary preparations and vitamins.
Make sure you tell your prescriber the names of all the complementary preparations and vitamins that you are taking or are planning to take.
Your prescriber can then decide whether it is appropriate for you to take together combinations that are known to interact.
- this medicine may interact with potassium supplements
If you have been prescribed Accupro you should only take something on the above list on the specific advice of your prescriber or pharmacist.
Driving and operating machinery
When taking any medicine you should be aware that it might interfere with your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
- this medicine could affect your ability to drive or operate machinery
You should see how this medicine affects you before you judge whether you are safe to drive or operate machinery. If you are in any doubt about whether you should drive or operate machinery, talk to your prescriber.
Diet
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your prescriber may advise you to avoid certain foods.
- this medicine may increase levels of potassium in the body. If you use potassium salt you must tell your prescriber
For more advice speak to your prescriber, nutritionist or pharmacist.
Alcohol
Alcohol can interact with certain medicines.
- this medicine may interact with alcohol
You should seek advice from your prescriber as to whether you may drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
Family planning and pregnancy
Most medicines, in some way, can affect the development of a baby in the womb. The effect on the baby differs between medicines and also depends on the stage of pregnancy that you have reached when you take the medicine.
- do not take this medicine during pregnancy
- if you become pregnant, or think you have become pregnant while taking Accupro, you must contact your prescriber
This medicine is not suitable during pregnancy. It is essential that you seek urgent medical advice if you become pregnant or think you have become pregnant while taking this medicine.
If you are planning to become pregnant, you should discuss your personal circumstances with your doctor so that together you can make a decision about what treatment you may need during your pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
Certain medicines can pass into breast milk and may reach your baby through breast-feeding.
- women who are breast-feeding must not take this medicine
Before you have your baby you should discuss breast-feeding with your doctor or midwife. They will help you decide what is best for you and your baby based on the benefits and risks associated with this medicine. If you wish to breast-feed you should discuss with your prescriber whether there are any other medicines you could take which would also allow you to breast-feed. You should not stop this medicine without taking advice from your doctor.
Ingredients of your medicine
Medicines contain active ingredients. They may also contain other, additional ingredients that help ensure the stability, safety and effectiveness of the medicine. They are also added to improve the medicine's taste and appearance and to make it easier to take. Some may be used to prolong the life of the medicine.
You should check that you are able to take the ingredients in your medicine, especially if you have any allergies.
Accupro contains:
- *candelilla wax
- colourings (Opadry Y-5-9020)
- hydroxypropylcellulose
- hydroxypropylmethylcellulose
- macrogol 400
- red iron oxide (E172)
- titanium dioxide (E171)
- crospovidone
- gelatin
- hydrous lactose
- magnesium carbonate
- magnesium stearate
- quinapril
If you are not able to take any of the ingredients in your medicine, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist to see if they can suggest an alternative medicine. If you have reacted badly to Accupro before, do not take Accupro. Talk to your prescriber, pharmacist or nurse as soon as possible.
Disclaimer - eHealth Treats does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes, or services. Consulting a Qualified Medical Practitioner is always recommended. eHealth Treats does not and should not be taken as a substitute for a Qualified Medical Practitioner.
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