Moexipril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme.

Moexipril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Moexipril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking moexipril and tell your doctor right away.

If you have diabetes, do not use moexipril together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo).

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not take moexipril in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Moexipril is usually taken 1 hour before meals.

Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking moexipril. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure.

While using moexipril, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor's office. Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using moexipril. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose:
-Patients not receiving diuretic therapy: 7.5 mg orally once a day 1 hour before meals
-Patients receiving diuretic therapy: 3.75 mg orally once a day 1 hour before meals

Maintenance dose: 7.5 to 30 mg orally per day in 1 or 2 divided doses 1 hour before meals.

Maximum dose: 60 mg/day

Comments:
-Diuretic therapy should be discontinued, if possible, 2 to 3 days before starting this drug. If blood pressure remains uncontrolled with this drug alone, diuretic therapy may be restarted. If diuretic therapy cannot be discontinued, initiate this drug at a lower dose.
-Total daily doses above 60 mg have not been studied in hypertensive patients.
-The antihypertensive effect of this drug may diminish toward the end of the dosing interval. Therefore, measure blood pressure just prior to dosing.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to moexipril or similar medications--benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, or trandolapril.

If you have diabetes, do not use moexipril together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo).

You may also need to avoid taking moexipril with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

To make sure moexipril is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

• liver disease;

• heart disease or congestive heart failure;

• if you are on a low-salt diet; or

• a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis.

Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away. Moexipril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

It is not known whether moexipril passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Talk to your doctor before using salt substitutes containing potassium. If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these directions carefully.

Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking moexipril, unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Moexipril may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, painful mouth sores, cough, trouble breathing;

• little or no urinating; or

• high potassium--nausea, slow or unusual heart rate, weakness, loss of movement.

Common side effects of moexipril may include:

• cough, runny or stuffy nose;

• headache, dizziness, tired feeling;

• increased urination;

• diarrhea;

• muscle pain; or

• mild skin itching or rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• lithium;

• a blood thinner such as warfarin, Coumadin; or

• a diuretic or "water pill";

• gold injections to treat arthritis;

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others;

• a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con; or

• salt substitutes that contain potassium.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with moexipril, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly to determine your response to moexipril.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.