Contents
Accupro is used in diseases of arterial hypertension, this preparation inhibits vasospasm, which is why it is also widely used in heart failure and administered together with diuretics. How does Accupro work? What are the contraindications?
Accupro – composition and application
Accupro contains the active substance quinapril and is one of the medicines called angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. These drugs are designed to inhibit the activity of the enzyme responsible for the formation of angiotensin II. As a result, inactive angiotensin I is not converted to active angiotensin II, which play a major role in hypertension, by causing the blood vessels to contract and aldosterone to be released, causing blood pressure to rise. The action of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors reduces the concentration of angiotensin II, and therefore blood pressure. Medicines from this group, such as Accupro, are used to lower blood pressure and treat cardiovascular diseases and kidney diseases.
The component Quinapril is well absorbed and rapidly converted into the active form – quinaprilat by the liver. This reduces high blood pressure as early as 1 hour after taking the drug. The full antihypertensive effect is obtained after about 2 weeks of using the preparation.
Accupro – contraindications to use
Accupro should not be used if the patient is hypersensitive or allergic to any of the ingredients. If you have a history of angioedema related to previous ACE inhibitors or hereditary or idiopathic angioedema. Accupro should also not be taken during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. When using products containing aliskiren, the use of Accupro is contraindicated, as well as in patients with diabetes mellitus or impaired renal function. The drug cannot be taken by patients with aortic valve stenosis.
Accupro – dosage
In essential hypertension, the recommended dose of quinapril in patients not taking diuretics is 10 mg or 20 mg daily. This may be increased to a maximum of a maintenance dose of 20 mg or 40 mg daily. These doses should be taken as two separate doses, either twice a day or once. The dose of quinapril is 5 mg in patients receiving concomitant therapy with diuretics.
In patients with congestive heart failure The quinapril contained in Accupro is used as an adjunct to diuretics, the starting dose in patients with heart failure is 5 mg once or twice a day. The maximum dose in this case is 10 mg to 40 mg a day, given in two divided doses with the currently used drugs.
In patients with impaired renal function, the recommended starting dose of quinapril in patients with creatinine clearance
30 – 60 ml / ml is 5 mg, in patients with creatinine clearance below 30 ml / min it is 2,5 mg. It all depends on the performance of the kidneys. If well tolerated, the drug can be administered immediately in two daily doses, if the dose should not be increased only at weekly intervals.
Accupro is administered orally, and the correct dose is determined by the doctor. The drug can be taken with or without food.
Accupro – side effects
Like any drug, Accupro can cause side effects, including: headache, dizziness, coughing, excessive fatigue, rhinitis, nausea and vomiting, and muscle aches. In addition: diarrhea, chest pain, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, back pain, pharyngitis, insomnia, hypotension.
Rarely observed: haemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, anaphylactoid reactions, depression, nervousness, somnolence, amblyopia, angina, palpitations, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, syncope, vasodilatation, dry mouth and throat, flatulence, pancreatitis, alopecia, alopecia exfoliative dermatitis, increased sweating, pemphigus, photosensitivity reactions, skin rash, joint pain, urinary tract infection, erectile dysfunction, edema.