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Medicine, Its Use And Remidies for Ailments - Accuretic
Accuretic (Ak-yoo-ret-ik) is a medicine which is used in hypertension. Accuretic contains hydrochlorothiazide and quinapril hydrochloride. It is made by Pfizer Limited.
Accuretic 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.
Accuretic contains two medicines - hydrochlorothiazide and quinapril. Both medicines work in different ways to lower blood pressure. Accuretic is used to treat high blood pressure.
- 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 Accuretic is first started
If you feel that the medicine is making you unwell or you do not think it is working, then talk to your prescriber.
When to take your medicine
Some medicines work best if they are taken at a specific time of day. Getting the most from your medicine can also be affected by what you eat, when you eat and the times at which you take other medicines.
- this medicine should be taken at the same time each day
How to take your medicine
Some medicines have specific instructions about how to take them. This is because they work better when taken correctly. These instructions can include getting the right dose and special instructions for preparing the medicine. Make sure you follow any specific instructions given to you by your prescriber or that are in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with this medicine.
- swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water
- this medicine can be taken with or without food
If you are having problems taking this form of Accuretic, 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.
Taking too much of your medicine
Taking extra doses of some medicines can be harmful. In some cases even one extra dose can cause you problems. If you take extra doses of your medicine, you must get medical advice immediately. You may need a test to assess the effect of taking extra doses. This is because the effects of taking too much medicine are very complex and it is therefore essential that you seek medical advice.
Make sure you take all of your medicine containers with you if you are advised to go to hospital.
Stopping your medicine
Suddenly stopping your medicine may cause your original condition to return. This is why you must speak to your prescriber if you are having any problems taking your medicine.
If you are not having any problems taking this medicine then do not stop taking it, even if you feel better, unless advised to do so by your prescriber.
Looking after your medicine
The instructions on how you should keep your medicine are on the pharmacy label. It is a good idea to keep your medicine in the original container. This will help to keep your medicine in the best condition and also allow you to check the instructions. Do not take the medicine if the packaging appears to have been tampered with or if the medicine shows any signs of damage. Make sure that the medicine is out of the sight and reach of children.
- do not store in temperatures above 25°C
- store in the original pack
You must not take the medicine after the expiry date shown on the packaging. If you have any unused medicine, return it to your pharmacist who will dispose of it safely.
Your prescriber will not give you this medicine if they know of any reasons why you must not take it. Sometimes it is necessary to prescribe this medicine with extra caution. For more information see the ‘Whether this medicine is suitable for you’ section.
If you have been prescribed this medicine you need to be aware of the side-effects that you could develop while taking this medicine.
Whether this medicine is suitable for you
Accuretic 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 allergic or sensitive to thiazides or sulphonamide-like medicines
- 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 not passing any urine
- are on haemodialysis
- are pregnant
- are prone to angioedema
- have certain heart problems
- have connective tissue problems
- have diabetes
- have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
- have had angioedema as a result of taking an ACE inhibitor in the past
- have kidney problems
- have liver problems
- have risk factors for salt and water imbalances such as having a diet low in sodium
Furthermore, the prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all for a child.
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 Accuretic can become unsuitable for some people, or they may become unsuitable for it. If at any time it appears that Accuretic has become unsuitable, it is important that the prescriber is contacted immediately.
Side-effects
A medicine is only made available to the public if the clinical trials have shown that the benefits of taking the medicine outweigh the risks.
Once a medicine has been licensed, information on the medicine's effects, both intended and unintended, is continuously recorded and updated.
Some side-effects may be serious while others may only be a mild inconvenience. Very occasionally, certain side-effects can be beneficial.
Everyone'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.
Common: Between 1% and 10% of people who take Accuretic -
- a drop in blood pressure on standing or sitting up
- abnormal laboratory test results
- back pain
- breathing difficulties
- bronchitis
- chest pain
- cough
- diarrhoea
- dizziness
- headaches
- heart attack
- indigestion
- infections
- lowered blood pressure
- metabolic problems
- muscle pain or tenderness
- nausea
- paraesthesiae
- pharyngitis
- precipitation of attacks of gout
- rhinitis
- sleepiness
- sleeping problems
- stomach pain
- tiredness
- vasodilatation
- vomiting
- weakness
Uncommon: Between 0.1% and 1% of people who take Accuretic
- activation of diabetes
- angina
- 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
- blood sugar control changes in diabetics
- confusion
- depression
- dry mouth or throat
- eye or eyesight problems
- fainting or brief loss of consciousness
- faster heart rate
- feeling nervous
- fever
- flatulence
- hair loss
- impotence
- itching
- joint pain
- kidney problems - certain types of kidney problems may be fatal
- oedema
- palpitations
- pancreatitis
- photosensitivity skin reaction
- sinusitis
- skin rash or rashes
- stroke
- sweating
- taste changes
- tinnitus
- vertigo
Rare: Between 0.01% and 0.1% of people who take Accuretic
- anaphylactic reactions - some of these anaphylactic reactions may be life-threatening
- blood and bone marrow problems
- bronchospasm
- erythema multiforme
- liver problems
- lung problems
- pemphigus
- psoriasis-like rash
- skin problems
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- urticaria
Very rare: Less than 0.01% of people who take Accuretic
- blurred vision
- gastrointestinal problems
The frequency of these side-effects is unknown
- angioedema of the stomach or bowel
- high levels of cholesterol or other lipids in the blood
- hypersensitivity reactions such as unexplained or unexpected bruising, vasculitis or respiratory distress
- passing less urine or passing urine less frequently in people with heart failure
- worsening or activation of lupus or a lupus-like problem
If you feel unwell or if you have concerns about a side-effect, you will need to seek advice. If you feel very ill, get medical help straight away.
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 Accuretic:
- allopurinol
- corticotropin
- insulin
- lithium
- procainamide
- tetracycline
- tubocurarine
The following types of medicine may interact with Accuretic:
- anaesthetics
- antacids
- antidiabetics
- antihypertensives
- barbiturates
- corticosteroids
- cytostatics
- diuretics
- immunosuppressant medicines
- narcotics
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
- potassium sparing medicines
- potassium supplements
If you are taking Accuretic 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 Accuretic 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.
- there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when taking Accuretic
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 Accuretic, 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.
Accuretic contains:
- candelilla wax
- colourings : Opadry pink OY-S-6937
- hydroxypropyl cellulose
- hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose
- iron dioxide E172
- polyethylene glycol
- titanium dioxide E171
- crospovidone
- hydrochlorothiazide
- lactose
- magnesium carbonate
- magnesium stearate
- povidone
- 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 Accuretic before, do not take Accuretic. 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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