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moexipril / HCTZ

Generic
Used for Hypertension
Used for Hypertension

Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide is a good 2-in-1 blood pressure medicine that also protects kidney function long-term. It combines two first-choice drugs for high blood pressure into a single pill for convenience.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
James Ogbeide, PharmD
reviewer
Christina Aungst, PharmD
Last reviewed on August 3, 2020
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsAlternativesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide?

What is Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide used for?

  • High blood pressure (combination pill not first choice)

How Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide works

Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide is a combination medication. Moexipril, the first medication in the combination pill is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It blocks a chemical in your body that tightens blood vessels, which makes blood vessels more relaxed. Having more relaxed blood vessels causes your blood pressure to go down.

The second medication in the combination pill, hydrochlorothiazide, is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that makes you urinate more. It works in your kidneys to remove extra water and certain electrolytes (like sodium and potassium), which helps lower your blood pressure.

Are you looking for information on moexipril only instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsUniretic (brand no longer available)
Drug ClassACE inhibitor / Diuretic (water pill) combo
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Cough (3%)
  • Dizziness (1%)
  • Fatigue/tiredness (1%)

Other Side Effects

  • Headache
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Sore throat
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, or throat)
  • Liver failure
  • Kidney failure
  • Severe allergic reactions

Source: FDA

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Blurred vision

confusion

decreased urination

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

dry mouth

fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat

muscle cramps or pain

numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet

rapid breathing

seizures

sunken eyes

sweating

thirst

trembling

unusual tiredness or weakness

weakness and heaviness of the legs

wrinkled skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Dry cough

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide

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Pros

Both moexipril and hydrochlorothiazide are first-choice medications to lower blood pressure for many people

Easier to take one combination pill instead of two separate pills

Protects kidney function, which is especially useful for people with diabetes or mild-to-moderate kidney disease

Lowers the risk of having a heart attack or stroke

Can be taken once daily

Very rarely causes serious side effects

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Cons

Comes in fixed dosage strengths, so it's harder for your provider to adjust the doses of the individual medications

Not safe to use if you're pregnant

Can make you urinate more often

Coughing is a common side effect.

Requires yearly blood tests to check kidney health

Might not work as well for lowering high blood pressure in Black people

More expensive without insurance than other similar medications, even though it has a generic

If you have lupus, this medication can worsen your lupus or cause flares.

People age 65 or older are more likely to have side effects due to hydrochlorothiazide.

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide

pharmacist

  • Taking moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide on an empty stomach is important to make sure the medication works its best. Be sure to take your dose(s) 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after.

    • Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide can make you urinate more often, so try to take the medication in the morning or afternoon.

      • Like many blood pressure medications, moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide can cause dizziness the first few days you are taking it because your body is not used to having lower blood pressure. Be careful when getting up from a lying down or seated position so you don't get too dizzy or fall.

        • It takes moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide about a week to fully kick in. If you are using it for high blood pressure, check your blood pressure a week after starting moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide and let your healthcare provider know if it hasn't come down at all.

          • Tell your healthcare provider about any throat irritation, rash, swelling in your lips, or abdominal pain. These could be a sign of a serious side effect or allergic reaction.

            • Call to your healthcare provider immediately if you become pregnant or would like to become pregnant as moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide can harm your unborn baby.

              • Some people get a dry cough within the first few months of taking moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide. This ranges from a mild tickle in the throat to a persistent, hacking cough. There are other medications without this side effect. If this happens, the cough should go away within 1 to 4 weeks after you stop moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide

                Do you need to take moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide with food?
                Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide must be taken on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). This helps the medication to work its best.
                Does moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide cause weight loss?
                Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide is not a weight loss medication. The hydrochlorothiazide (water pill) that is in this combo medication causes you to urinate more to get rid of extra fluid in your body. This can cause weight loss, but this is water weight and not fat loss.
                Do you need to drink a lot of water when taking moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide?
                It is important to not become dehydrated while taking this medication. Drink water with moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide, especially when you are exercising or sweating a lot.
                When is the best time of day to take moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide?
                When it comes to taking your medications, we normally recommend taking them at the same time each day for consistency. This is also true for moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide, but because it contains a diuretic (water pill), it is usually better to take it during the day to avoid waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.
                What do I do if I missed my dose?
                If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not "double up" to make up for the missed dose as this can drop your blood pressure too much. If you are unsure, ask your provider or pharmacist.
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                What are the risks and warnings for Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide?

                Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                risk-warning

                BIRTH DEFECTS OR MISCARRIAGE

                Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide can cause birth defects or a miscarriage. If you become pregnant, stop taking moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide right away and talk to your healthcare provider. If you would like to become pregnant, discuss other medication options with your healthcare provider before stopping moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide.

                risk-warning

                SWELLING OF FACE, LIPS, TONGUE (ANGIOEDEMA)

                • Risk factors: Black people | Taking certain cancer medications

                  Angioedema, or swelling in the face, lips, tongue, throat, and/or other organs, can happen at anytime when taking moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide and other ACE inhibitors. This risk is higher for Black people. Certain medications used for certain cancers and for organ transplants (everolimus and sirolimus) also raise your risk. You should get medical help right away if you have swelling in your tongue or throat, especially if it causes difficulty breathing.

                  risk-warning

                  WORSENING KIDNEY PROBLEMS

                  • Risk factors: History of kidney problems | Severe congestive heart failure

                    In some rare cases, moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide can cause or worsen kidney problems. You'll need blood tests done to check your kidney health before starting moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide and at least once a year after.

                    risk-warning

                    CHANGES IN ELECTROLYTES (POTASSIUM, SODIUM, AND MAGNESIUM)

                    • Risk factors: Diabetes | Kidney problems | Taking other medications that affect electrolytes

                      Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide can increase the amount of potassium in your body because of the moexipril. High potassium can cause heart problems. moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide can also lower potassium, sodium, and magnesium because of the hydrochlorothiazide. Your healthcare provider will be checking these electrolytes before you start moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide and at least yearly after starting to make sure it is safe to keep taking it.

                      risk-warning

                      LOW BLOOD PRESSURE

                      • Risk factors: Congestive heart failure | Dialysis | Taking other medicines that lower your blood pressure | Dehydration | Recent diarrhea or vomiting | Low salt diets

                        Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide can lower your blood pressure and make you feel lightheaded or dizzy, especially during the first week you are taking it. This could cause you to pass out or fall. Be careful when getting up from either a seated or lying down position to help prevent this.

                        risk-warning

                        LIVER DAMAGE

                        Very rarely, moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide can cause liver failure. Stop taking moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide and talk to your healthcare provider right away if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes. You will have to have a blood test done to check the health of your liver.

                        risk-warning

                        COUGH

                        Taking moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide may cause minor throat irritation or a dry, hacking cough. This side effect is somewhat common and usually happens within the first few months of taking the medication. This is not a side effect your body will adjust to, and you will have to take a different blood pressure or heart failure medication. This cough will go away after a few weeks of stopping the medication.

                        risk-warning

                        VISION PROBLEMS (GLAUCOMA)

                        • Risk factors: History of sulfa or penicillin allergies

                          Vision changes and/or eye pain can occur within hours to weeks of starting moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience any vision changes or eye pain and stop the medication right away. This can lead to permanent blindness if not treated immediately.

                          risk-warning

                          LOW BLOOD SUGAR

                          • Risk factors: Diabetes

                            Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide may lower your blood sugar because of the hydrochlorothiazide. If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly and let your healthcare provider know if it's consistently lower than usual. Your medication doses may need to be changed. Be sure to always have glucose tablets or glucose gel with you in case you begin to experience hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar). Symptoms include sweating, headache, hunger, and shaking.

                            risk-warning

                            GOUT

                            • Risk factors: History of gout | Family history of gout | Existing kidney problems

                              Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide can increase uric acid in your body and cause or worsen gout. If you've had gout attacks before or you have problems with your kidneys, your risk is higher. Talk to your healthcare provider right away is you notice any of your joints become swollen, red, and painful.

                              dosage

                              Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide dosage forms

                              tablet
                              Tablet
                              DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                              7.5mg/12.5mg30 tablets$41.68$1.39

                              Typical dosing for Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide

                              The usual starting dose for moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide is 7.5 mg/12.5 mg, 15 mg/12.5 mg, or 15 mg/25 mg (moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide) by mouth an hour before a meal. This can be taken as a single dose once a day or divided into 2 separate doses and be taken twice daily.

                              Your provider will determine which dose is best to start for you based on your current medications, and may raise your dose after a few weeks depending on your blood pressure. The maximum dose is 15 mg/25 mg (moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide) by mouth twice daily an hour before meals.

                              Most people who start taking moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide are already taking either moexipril, hydrochlorothiazide, or another blood pressure medication, and then they switch over to this combination medication to lower the number of pills they have to take each day.

                              interactions

                              Interactions between Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide and other drugs

                              Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                              Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                              Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                              Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                              alternatives

                              What are alternatives to Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide?

                              There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                              Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide
                              Used for:

                              • High blood pressure (combination pill not first choice)

                              $41.68 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                              Benicar HCT (olmesartan / hydrochlorothiazide)
                              Used for:

                              • High blood pressure

                              $17.51 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                              Zestoretic (lisinopril / hydrochlorothiazide)
                              Used for:
                              $13.56 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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