Monopril

Pronunciation: fos-IN-oh-pril
Generic Name: Fosinopril
Brand Name: Monopril

Monopril may cause injury or death to the fetus if taken after the third month of pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away.

Monopril is used for:

Treating high blood pressure alone or with other medicines. It is used along with other medicines to manage heart failure. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Monopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It works by relaxing blood vessels. This helps to lower blood pressure.

Do NOT use Monopril if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Monopril or to other ACE inhibitors (eg, lisinopril)


• you have a history of angioedema (swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or unusual hoarseness), including angioedema caused by treatment with an ACE inhibitor


• you are in your second or third trimester of pregnancy

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Monopril:

Some medical conditions may interact with Monopril. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you are able to become pregnant


• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure, aortic stenosis), blood vessel problems, blood flow problems, bone marrow problems, or kidney or liver problems


• if you have a history of stroke, recent heart attack, or kidney transplant


• if you have an autoimmune disease (eg, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma)


• if you are dehydrated or have low blood volume


• if you have high blood potassium levels, low blood sodium levels, or are on a low-salt (sodium) diet


• if you have diabetes, especially if you are also taking aliskiren


• if you are receiving treatments to reduce sensitivity to bee or wasp stings


• if you are having dialysis or apheresis, or are scheduled to have major surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Monopril. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of low blood pressure may be increased


• Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), aliskiren, potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone, triamterene), or potassium supplements because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased


• Angiotensin receptor blockers (eg, losartan) or trimethoprim because the risk of serious kidney problems and high blood potassium levels may be increased


• Insulin, sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide), or other oral diabetes medicines (eg, metformin) because the risk of low blood sugar may be increased


• Gold-containing medicines (eg, auranofin) because flushing, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure may occur


• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin) because they may decrease Monopril's effectiveness


• Lithium because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Monopril

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Monopril may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Monopril:

Use Monopril as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Monopril by mouth with or without food.


• Do not take an antacid that has aluminum, magnesium, or simethicone in it within 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take Monopril.


• Use Monopril on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Monopril at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.


• Continue to use Monopril even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Monopril, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Monopril.

Important safety information:

• Monopril may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Monopril with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Monopril may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.


• Monopril may cause a serious side effect called angioedema. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or unusual hoarseness.


• Monopril may not work as well in black patients. They may also be at greater risk of side effects. Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse.


• Dehydration, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur.


• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Monopril before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.


• If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.


• Diabetes patients - Monopril may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Monopril may interfere with certain lab tests, including certain tests for digoxin blood level. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Monopril.


• Lab tests, including blood pressure, blood electrolyte levels, heart function, or kidney or liver function, may be performed while you use Monopril. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Monopril with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Monopril should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• Monopril should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN weighing less than 110 pounds; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING: Monopril may cause birth defects or fetal death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Monopril is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Monopril.

Possible side effects of Monopril:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Cough; dizziness; nausea.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the hands, eyes, mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); chest pain; confusion; dark urine; decreased urination; difficulty swallowing; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; mental or mood changes; muscle pain or cramping; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; slurred speech; stomach pain (with or without nausea or vomiting); symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, persistent sore throat); symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, fainting, severe dizziness, lightheadedness); vision changes; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Monopril side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; severe dizziness or lightheadedness; weakness.

Proper storage of Monopril:

Store Monopril at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Monopril out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Monopril, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Monopril is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Monopril. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Monopril resources

• Monopril Side Effects (in more detail)
• Monopril Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Monopril Drug Interactions
• Monopril Support Group
• 1 Review for Monopril - Add your own review/rating

• Monopril Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Monopril Consumer Overview


• Monopril Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Monopril Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Fosinopril Prescribing Information (FDA)

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