Accupril Medication Special Warnings

There are some special concerns with Accupril medication that you need to be aware of before taking this medicine for high blood pressure. After beginning Accupril, you may possibly notice swelling in your face, lips, tongue, or throat, legs and arms, or have difficulty swallowing or breathing. If this occurs you should contact your physician immediately as you may possibly need emergency medical treatment. Only your physician can determine if you should then continue on with Accupril medication.

It may cause you to feel lightheaded, especially in the first few days of your therapy on Accupril medication. If you actually faint, you should quit taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately.

Heavy perspiration, diarrhea and vomiting may all cause dehydration, depleting your body of fluid and possibly causing your blood pressure to drop. If this leads of fainting or lightheadedness you should obviously contact your physician.

You should also notify your dentist or physician that you are taking Accupril before undergoing anesthesia or surgery. Also, you should consult with your physician prior to taking potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium. If you develop a fever or sore throat you should notify your doctor as it may indicate a more serious illness. Your doctor will complete an assessment of your kidney function and will watch closely as long as you're taking this medication. You should also quit taking this medication immediately and contact your doctor if you notice a yellow tinge to your skin and to the whites of your eyes, which could be a sign of liver damage. The safety and effectiveness of the Accupril medication has not been established in children.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Accupril medication:

If Accupril is taken with other medications the effects may be increased, decreased or altered and some other way. It is especially important to notify your doctor before combining Accupril with any of the following:

Diuretics such as Lasix

Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)

Potassium sparing diuretics such as Aldactone, Dyazide, and Moduretic

Salt substitutes containing potassium

Tetracycline (Sumycin)

Accupril medication: Special information if you're pregnant or breast-feeding:

ACE inhibitors such as Accupril medication have been shown to cause injury and sometimes even death to unborn children when used during pregnancy during the second and third trimesters. Your doctor will probably discontinue Accupril as soon as possible if you're pregnant. If you plan to become pregnant in the near future your doctor should probably discontinue this medicine as soon as possible. Accupril appears in breast milk and has a relatively high risk in affecting a nursing infant. If your Accupril medication is essential to your health your doctor may advise you to discontinue breast-feeding until your treatment is completed.

Adapted from The PDR Family Guide to Prescription Drugs

Additional Information and webpage by Paul Susic MA Licensed Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate