fosinopril sodium at a glance
Medicine class
ACE inhibitor
Licensed uses
High blood pressure and symptomatic heart failure
Food
May be taken with or without food
Monitoring
Blood pressure, kidney function, potassium and sodium require monitoring
What is fosinopril sodium used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
High blood pressure.
Symptomatic heart failure.
How does fosinopril sodium work?
Fosinopril sodium is converted to fosinoprilat, which blocks ACE. This reduces angiotensin II and aldosterone activity, relaxing blood vessels and reducing the heart’s workload. Reduced aldosterone can also raise blood potassium.
fosinopril sodium preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg
How to take fosinopril sodium
Take it exactly as prescribed. Swallow the tablet with water; it may be taken before, with or after food.
Do not stop it without discussing this with the prescriber.
Dizziness can affect driving or machinery, particularly when treatment changes or alcohol is consumed.
fosinopril sodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dizziness or headache
- Low blood pressure, including dizziness on standing
- Dry cough
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort or indigestion
- Taste disturbance
- Rash or dermatitis
- Fatigue or weakness
- Muscle or joint pain
Get urgent medical advice
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Severe faintness, collapse or symptoms of very low blood pressure
- Markedly reduced urine output or other signs of acute kidney problems
- Yellow skin or eyes, suggesting liver injury
- Fever, severe sore throat, mouth ulcers, unusual bruising or bleeding
fosinopril sodium in pregnancy
Fosinopril sodium should not be started during pregnancy and is contraindicated in the second and third trimesters. Discuss an alternative before planning pregnancy and contact the prescriber promptly if pregnancy occurs. Exposure after about 20 weeks can affect the baby’s kidneys and amniotic-fluid level and requires specialist assessment.
fosinopril sodium while breastfeeding
Fosinopril sodium is not usually recommended while breastfeeding because medicine-specific evidence is insufficient. An alternative with better-established evidence is generally preferred, particularly for a newborn, premature or unwell infant. Seek specialist advice if it is considered necessary.
fosinopril sodium interactions
Check prescribed, non-prescription and complementary products with a pharmacist or prescriber. Important interactions include:
Sacubitril/valsartan
Concomitant use is contraindicated because it increases angioedema risk; a defined washout period is required when switching.
Potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes and potassium-sparing diuretics
May cause clinically important hyperkalaemia. Avoid unsupervised use and monitor potassium when combination treatment is necessary.
Trimethoprim, co-trimoxazole, ciclosporin or heparin
Can further increase potassium, requiring caution and monitoring.
Common questions about fosinopril sodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can fosinopril sodium cause angioedema after years of treatment?
Yes. Angioedema can begin after weeks or years without previous problems and requires urgent medical assessment.
Why are blood tests needed?
Fosinopril can affect kidney function, potassium and sodium. Blood tests help identify clinically important changes.
Can I use potassium salt substitutes?
Do not use them without checking with a pharmacist or prescriber because they may cause excessive potassium levels.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.