Zestril

Zestril is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and to improve survival after a heart attack. Zestril belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which relax blood vessels to lower blood pressure and make the heart pump more efficiently.

Zestril is a prescription medication used:

• alone or with other medications for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure)
• with other medications in the management of congestive heart failure
• to improve survival following a heart attack

Zestril is not recommended in children less than 6 years of age.

• Astrazeneca

Zestril may cause serious side effects. See "Precautions".

The most common side effects include:

• cough
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• headache
• nausea
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• body weakness
• upper respiratory infections (cold, flu)
• decrease in sexual ability (impotence, erectile dysfunction)
• rash
• excessive tiredness
• chest pain
• stomach pain
• extreme low blood pressure

This is not a complete list of Zestril side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• potassium-sparing diuretics such as:
  • spironolactone (Aldactone)
  • triamterene (Dyrenium)
  • amiloride (Midamor)
• other diuretics such as:
  • furosemide (Lasix)
  • hydrochlorothiazide
  • torsemide (Demadex)
• aliskiren (Tekturna)
• angiotensin receptor blockers such as candesartan (Atacand), losartan (Cozaar), and telmisartan (Micardis, Twynsta)
• aspirin and other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as:
  • celecoxib (Celebrex)
  • diclofenac (Cambia, Cataflam, Flector, Voltaren, Zipsor and others)
  • etodolac (Lodine)
  • ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin)
  • indomethacin (Indocin, Indocin SR)
  • ketoprofen (Orudis, Actron, Oruvail)
  • ketorolac (Toradol)
  • meloxicam (Mobic)
  • nabumetone (Relafen)
  • naproxen (Naprosyn)
  • naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan)
  • oxaprozin (Daypro)
  • piroxicam (Feldene)
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• potassium supplements
• injectable gold (sodium aurothiomalate)

This is not a complete list of Zestril drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby and may even cause death. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away. See "FDA Warning" and "Pregnancy Section".

This medicine may cause anaphylaxis and other serious types of allergic reactions. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, mouth, or throat while you are using this medicine.

Zestril may cause a serious side effect known as angioedema, a rapid swelling of deep layers of the skin. Stop taking Zestril and call your doctor right away if you have symptoms suggesting angioedema (swelling of face, extremities, eyes, lips, tongue, difficulty in swallowing or breathing).

Excessive sweating and dehydration can lead to a serious drop in blood pressure. Be sure to drink plenty of water during exercise and hot weather. Check with your doctor right away if you become sick while taking this medicine, especially with severe or continuing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. These conditions may cause you to lose too much water or salt and may lead to low blood pressure. 

Check with your doctor if you have a fever, chills, or sore throat. These could be symptoms of an infection resulting from low white blood cells.

Hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood) may occur while you are receiving Zestril. Symptoms of hyperkalemia include: abdominal or stomach pain, confusion, difficulty with breathing, irregular heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, nervousness, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, shortness of breath, or weakness or heaviness of the legs. Call your doctor right away if you have these symptoms. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without first checking with your doctor.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests, or if you have any questions, check with your doctor.

Keep all medical and laboratory appointments while taking Zestril. It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Zestril there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Zestril.

Follow dietary (food) recommendations made by your doctor and dietitian which should include a healthy diet. If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, avoid using salt substitutes containing potassium.

Before receiving Zestril, tell your doctor:

• if you are allergic to Zestril or any other medication
• if you have or have ever had heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, lupus, scleroderma, or angioedema
• if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Zestril is usually not recommended during pregnancy. It may harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking Zestril call your doctor right away. See "FDA Warning".

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Zestril is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

Zestril tablets are taken by mouth, with or without food, usually once a day.

Take this medication at around the same time each day.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose.

Continue to take Zestril even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor.

Take Zestril exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. Your doctor will determine the best dose for you based on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• other conditions you may have
• other medications you are taking

The dose range is 2.5 mg to 40 mg taken once daily.

If you take too much Zestril, call your local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Store this medication at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture. Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.

USE IN PREGNANCY

When used in pregnancy during the second and third trimesters, ACE inhibitors can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus. When pregnancy is detected, Zestril should be discontinued as soon as possible.