Acepril Tablet 50mg Calendar Pack

Should you be taking this medicine?

Do NOT take these tablets if you answer YES to any of the following questions. Go back to your doctor for advice as soon as possible.
 

• 1. Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant?
• 2. Are you breast feeding?
• 3. Have you suffered from heart, kidney or liver disease that your doctor does not know about?
• 4. Have you had an allergic reaction to any ingredients of Acepril or to any other medicines?
• 5. Have you ever had a reaction which included swelling of the hands, face, lips or tongue, where the cause was unknown?
• 6. Do you suffer from a type of disease known as a “collagen vascular disease”, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma, that your doctor does not know about?

Can you take other medicines?

Do not take other medicines while you are taking Acepril tablets, unless you have told your doctor or pharmacist and asked their advice. These include medicines from pharmacies for colds, coughs, hay fever or sinus problems as these may increase your blood pressure. If you are also taking anti-inflammatory painkillers (e.g. indomethacin, ibuprofen), lithium, allopurinol (treatment for gout), procainamide (a treatment for irregular heartbeats), some of the older anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, immunosuppressants (e.g. azathioprine and cyclophosphamide), potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium, diuretics (water tablets), other products which can increase potassium in your body, such as heparin, drugs that cause dilation of the blood vessels (e.g. minoxidil), clonidine or any other treatment for high blood pressure, remind your doctor before taking Acepril tablets.
 

Is it all right to drink alcohol?

Moderate amounts of alcohol will not affect Acepril. However, you should check with your doctor whether drinking is advisable for you.
 

What if I am using dialysis?

There have been some reports of allergic-type reactions seen when people using drugs such as Acepril undergo dialysis. Tell your doctor before your next dialysis treatment.
 

What if I have lactose intolerance?

Each tablet contains 70mg lactose. Therefore, Acepril should not be taken by patients with inherited lactose intolerance.
 

What if I am a diabetic?

In rare cases Acepril has been found to increase the blood sugar lowering effects of antidiabetic medicines. This may happen in the first few weeks of treatment. If this happens you should contact your doctor who may decide to adjust the dose of your antidiabetic medicine.
 

Is it all right to drive?

Acepril tablets do not usually affect your ability to drive. However, if you feel light-headed or dizzy, do not drive and check with your doctor.
 

Who should you tell that you are taking Acepril tablets?

Doctor – before having surgery or emergency treatment, if he prescribes any new treatment, or if you are to have desensitisation treatment for wasp or bee stings. Tell your doctor you are taking Acepril tablets before you have any blood or urine tests as Acepril tablets may interfere with the results of some tests.
 

Dentist – before having dental surgery
 

Pharmacist – before buying any medicines.
 

How much exercise should you take?

As you start feeling better you may try to do too much and feel faint, especially in hot weather. Make sure you discuss with your doctor a safe amount of exercise for you.
 

How should you take Acepril tablets?

The usual starting dose for the treatment of high blood pressure is 12.5 - 25mg twice a day. Your doctor may gradually increase this dose to 100 - 150mg a day. You may also need to be given other medicines to lower your blood pressure.
 

Older patients and those with kidney problems may be given a lower starting dose. When Acepril is used to help the heart pump blood around the body, the usual starting dose is 6.25 - 12.5 mg two or three times a day. Your doctor may gradually increase this dose to a maximum of 150mg a day.
 

The usual test dose after a heart attack is 6.25mg, which will then be increased by your doctor to a maximum of 150mg a day.
 

The usual dose for the treatment of diabetic patients with kidney disease is 75 - 100mg a day.
 

For children, the starting dose is 0.3mg/kg bodyweight, which may be increased gradually by the doctor. For children with kidney problems, premature babies and newborn babies and infants, the starting dose should be 0.15mg/kg bodyweight.
 

Doctors sometimes prescribe different doses to the above and if this applies to you, you should discuss it with your doctor.
 

Can you take the tablets before or after meals?

It does not matter.
 

How long should you take them for?

Continue with Acepril tablets until your doctor tells you otherwise. Keep your doctor’s appointments even if you feel well.
 

What if you take too many tablets or a child swallows some?

Go to your nearest hospital Casualty Department or tell your doctor immediately. If you are going to the hospital, take the empty container and any remaining tablets with you. If the person has fainted, lay them down and raise their feet higher than their head.
 

What if you miss or forget a dose?

If you miss a dose do not worry. Just carry on taking your normal dose when the next one is due. DO NOT take a double dose to make up for the one you missed.
 

Are there any unwanted effects of Acepril tablets?

All medicines may cause some unwanted or ‘side-effects’ in a few patients. If you experience any of the following STOP TAKING YOUR MEDICINE AND TELL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY:
 

Swelling of the hands, face, lips or tongue, difficulty in breathing, sore throat or fever, severe dizziness or fainting, severe abdominal pain, unusually fast or irregular heart beat, jaundice (yellow skin/eyes), a sudden, unexplained, rash or burning, red or peeling skin.
 

Sometimes Acepril causes dizziness, itching, hair loss, flushing, cold extremities, taste impairment, dry mouth, anorexia, upset stomach, sickness, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation, pins and needles, cough and swollen glands, sleep disorders, drowsiness, headache, feeling generally unwell. If these symptoms persist or become troublesome you should tell your doctor.
 

Sometimes patients may feel dizzy after taking the first one or two doses of Acepril. If this happens to you, lie down till these symptoms disappear.
 

Rarely, disorders of the blood, kidney or liver can occur. Your doctor may need to test your blood or urine to monitor your condition.
 

Very rarely, the following have been reported to occur: confusion, depression, blurred vision, runny nose, chest pain, heart attack, stroke, stomach ulcers, skin disorders, including pale skin, sensitivity of the skin to light, sore mouth and mouth ulcers, pains in the muscles and joints, impotence, swelling of the breasts, fatigue, chemical and blood sugar changes.
 

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any other troublesome side-effects.