Moexipril - un inhibidor de la ECA

About moexipril

Moexipril belongs to a class of medicines called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors. You will have been prescribed it to reduce high blood pressure (hypertension). 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.

Before taking moexipril

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 está embarazada, esperando un bebé o en período de lactancia.

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

• Si tiene falta de líquido en el organismo (deshidratación); por ejemplo, si ha tenido diarrea o ha estado enfermo recientemente.

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

• Si padece un tipo concreto de mala circulación denominado enfermedad arterial periférica.

• Si padece una enfermedad vascular del colágeno, 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 se le hincha la cara, la lengua o la garganta (angioedema).

• Si está en tratamiento de desensibilización para protegerse de las picaduras de abejas y avispas.

• Si está en tratamiento de diálisis o tratamiento para eliminar el colesterol de la sangre mediante una máquina (aféresis LDL).

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

• If you have ever had an allergic or unusual reaction to any other ACE inhibitor (such as lisinopril, ramipril or perindopril), or to any other medicine.

How to take moexipril

• 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.

• Si olvida tomar una dosis a la hora habitual, tómela en cuanto se acuerde. Si no se acuerda hasta el día siguiente, sáltese la dosis olvidada. No tome dos dosis al mismo tiempo para compensar la dosis olvidada.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Intente acudir a las citas periódicas con su médico. Así podrá controlar su evolución. Es posible que su médico quiera hacerle análisis de sangre de vez en cuando para comprobar que sus riñones funcionan bien.

• Es muy importante que siga los consejos dietéticos y de estilo de vida que le dé su médico. Esto puede incluir consejos sobre una dieta sana, no fumar y hacer ejercicio con regularidad.

• 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.

Can moexipril cause problems?

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 los comprimidos, hable con su médico o farmacéutico para que le aconsejen.

How to store moexipril

• 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.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos