What is Monopril®?

Monopril®, also known as fosinopril sodium, is composed of a group or drugs called ACE inhibitors. The inhibitors are used to treat two health issues,high blood pressure and heart failure, although the drug has been used for other health problems. The drug works by lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure. As the drug decreases blood pressure, it also decreases the risk of an individual suffering from congestive heart failure.

Monopril® comes in two forms, Monopril® and Monopril HTC®. Monopril HTC® differentiates itself from the basic version of the drug because it has hydrochlorothiazide, which is a diuretic that keeps the body from absorbing too much salt. The hydrochlorothiazide in the drug gets rid of excess salt by eliminating fluid retention.

There are a few things that a person should avoid doing when taking Monopril®. First they should avoid taking an antacid before or after taking the drug. Second, they should not drink alcohol, because this can cause the blood pressure to drop and aggravate side effects of the drug.

Monopril® can produce different side effects. Less serious side effects include muscle or joint pain, stuffy nose, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, cough, and an itchy skin rash. More serious side effects include fever, chills, body aches, blistering of the skin, slow heart rate, muscle weakness, jaundice, chest pain, and fainting. Individuals that experience severe stomach pain, hives, or difficulty breathing should see a doctor.

A person with swelling on the face or throat could be having an allergic reaction to the medication and should seek emergency help immediately. Some individuals are allergic to any ACE inhibitor. Persons allergic to ingredients such as benazepril, captopril,

, or

will likely suffer from an allergic reaction to Monopril® as well.

Under certain circumstances, the drug should not be used. Individuals that are pregnant should not use the drug because it can lead to birth defects. Individuals that have liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, or connective tissue diseases, including but not limited to lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma, should also not use the drug. Although the drug is used to help hypertenion, it’s still essential that an individual monitor their blood pressure on a regular basis. In addition to monitoring the blood pressure, it’s also essential that the individual monitor their kidney and liver function when taking Monopril®.