Moexipril - an ACE inhibitor

About moexipril

Moexipril belongs to a class of medicines called inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina, o inhibidores de ECA. You will have been prescribed it to reduce presión arterial alta (hipertensión). Although people with high blood pressure usually feel well, if left untreated, high blood pressure can harm the heart and damage blood vessels, leading to a heart attack or stroke.

ACE inhibitors like moexipril prevent your body from creating a hormone known as angiotensin II. They do this by blocking (inhibiting) a chemical called angiotensin-converting enzyme. This widens your blood vessels and helps to reduce the amount of water put back into your blood by your kidneys. These actions help to lower the high blood pressure.

You may be prescribed moexipril on its own, or alongside other medicines to help your condition.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking moexipril it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si estás embarazada, intentando tener un bebé o amamantando.

• If you have problems with the way your kidneys work, or any problems with the way your liver works.

• Si te falta líquido en el cuerpo (deshidratado) - por ejemplo, si has tenido diarrea o vómitos recientemente.

• Si le han dicho que tiene una acumulación de depósitos grasos en las paredes de sus arterias, una condición llamada aterosclerosis.

• Si tienes un tipo particular de mala circulación llamado enfermedad arterial periférica.

• Si tienes una enfermedad vascular del colágeno, esto incluye condiciones como el lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) y la esclerodermia.

• If you have been told you have a heart problem such as heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), or narrowing of the main blood vessel from your heart (aortic stenosis).

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción en la que su cara, lengua o garganta se hinchan (angioedema).

• Si estás recibiendo tratamiento de desensibilización para protegerte contra las picaduras de abejas y avispas.

• Si estás recibiendo tratamiento de diálisis, o tratamiento para eliminar el colesterol de tu sangre mediante una máquina (aféresis de LDL).

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que esté disponible para comprar sin receta, así como medicamentos herbales y complementarios.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica o inusual a cualquier otro inhibidor de la ECA (como lisinopril, ramipril o perindopril), o a cualquier otro medicamento.

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about moexipril and will provide you with a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take moexipril exactly as your doctor tells you to. You will be asked to take one dose each day.

• Your doctor will advise you to take your very first dose at bedtime. This is because the first dose may make you feel dizzy.

• After the first dose, you can generally take moexipril at any time of day you find easy to remember - for most people, this will be first thing in the morning. Try to take your dose at the same time each day. You should ideally take the tablet before food as this allows your body to absorb more of the medicine. Swallow the tablet with a drink of water.

• If you forget to take a dose at your usual time, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the forgotten dose. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your progress can be monitored. Your doctor may want you to have some blood tests from time to time to check that your kidneys are working well.

• Es muy importante que sigas cualquier consejo dietético y de estilo de vida que te dé tu médico. Esto puede incluir consejos sobre llevar una dieta saludable, no fumar y hacer ejercicio regularmente.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with moexipril. This is because some medicines (such as anti-inflammatory painkillers and indigestion remedies) may interfere with your treatment.

• It is likely that your doctor will advise that you do not use salt substitutes while you are taking moexipril. These products have a high content of potassium which could be harmful for you.

• If you have a bout of sickness or diarrhoea, your doctor may advise you to stop taking the tablets for a short while until you are drinking sufficient fluids again. This is to help prevent any damage to your kidneys while you are dehydrated.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice about drinking alcohol while you are on moexipril. Alcoholic drinks may make you feel light-headed or dizzy, and may not be advisable for you.

• If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking moexipril tablets. This is because some anaesthetics may cause your blood pressure to drop too far.

• Treatment with moexipril is usually long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. Continue to take the tablets unless you are advised otherwise.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with moexipril. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que crea que puede deberse a las tabletas, hable con su médico o farmacéutico para obtener más consejos.

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera de la vista y del alcance de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.