Monopril HCT

Generic Name: Fosinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide (fos-IN-oh-pril/HYE-droe-KLOR-oh-THYE-a-zide)
Brand Name: Monopril HCT

Monopril HCT is used for:

Treating high blood pressure.

Monopril HCT is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and thiazide diuretic combination. It works to lower your blood pressure by removing excess fluid from the body and causing blood vessels to relax or widen.

Do NOT use Monopril HCT if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Monopril HCT , other sulfonamide medicines (eg, sulfamethoxazole, glyburide, probenecid), or 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, or you are unable to urinate
• you are also taking dofetilide or ketanserin
• 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 HCT :

Some medical conditions may interact with Monopril HCT . 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, kidney or liver problems, diabetes, or gout
• if you have a history of stroke, recent heart attack, kidney transplant, allergies, or asthma
• if you have an autoimmune disease (eg, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma)
• if you are dehydrated, have low blood volume, or low blood pressure
• if you have high blood potassium levels, low blood sodium levels, or are on a low-salt (sodium) diet
• 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
• if you are taking another medicine for high blood pressure

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

• Digoxin, dofetilide, or ketanserin because the risk of irregular heartbeat may be increased
• Diazoxide or diuretics because excessive decreases in blood pressure may occur, which may cause dizziness, especially upon standing, or fainting
• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (eg, losartan) because the risk of serious damage to the kidneys (eg, decrease in amount of urine, weight gain) may be increased
• Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone, triamterene), potassium supplements, or trimethoprim because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased
• Certain gold-containing medicines (eg, sodium aurothiomalate) because flushing, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure may occur
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin) because they may decrease Monopril HCT 's effectiveness
• Lithium, sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide), or thiopurines (eg, azathiopurine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Monopril HCT

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Monopril HCT 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 HCT :

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

• Take Monopril HCT 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 HCT .
• If you take cholestyramine or colestipol, do not take it at the same time that you take Monopril HCT . Talk with your doctor about how you should take cholestyramine or colestipol with Monopril HCT .
• Take Monopril HCT on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
• Taking Monopril HCT at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
• Continue to use Monopril HCT even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Monopril HCT , 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 HCT .

Important safety information:

• Monopril HCT may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Monopril HCT with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Monopril HCT 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.
• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.
• Drink plenty of fluids while taking Monopril HCT and avoid engaging in activities that cause excessive sweating. Dehydration, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea may lead to a fall in blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur.
• A persistent, unproductive cough may occur. Tell your doctor if this occurs. Recovery is rapid when the medicine is stopped.
• 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.
• Monopril HCT 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.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Monopril HCT before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Monopril HCT may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Monopril HCT . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Monopril HCT may interfere with certain lab tests, including parathyroid function tests and tests for digoxin blood levels. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Monopril HCT .
• Lab tests, including blood electrolytes, blood pressure, blood cell counts, and kidney function, may be performed while you use Monopril HCT . 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 HCT with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects
• Monopril HCT should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Monopril HCT may cause fetal and newborn death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Monopril HCT is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Monopril HCT .

Possible side effects of Monopril HCT :

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:

Dizziness or lightheadedness when sitting up or standing; dry cough.

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

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty swallowing or breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); blurred vision or other vision changes; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; dry mouth; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; increase in thirst, hunger, or urination; joint pain or swelling, especially in the big toe; loss of coordination; mental or mood changes (eg, depression); muscle cramps, pain, or weakness; numbness or tingling; one-sided weakness; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent cough; severe or persistent headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; slurred speech; tremor; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual weakness; 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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

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

Proper storage of Monopril HCT :

Store Monopril HCT 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 HCT out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

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

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Monopril HCT . 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.