moexipril / HCTZ
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.
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.
Drug facts
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%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Flu-like symptoms
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide 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
The following Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide 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
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
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.
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Pros and cons of Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide
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
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 for Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide
- 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.
Common questions about Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide
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.
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.
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 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.
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15mg/25mg | 30 tablets | $30.70 | $1.02 |
| 7.5mg/12.5mg | 30 tablets | $41.68 | $1.39 |
Typical dosage 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 between Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
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.
- Aliskiren
- Dofetilide
- Sacubitril
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.
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Acetyldigoxin
- Alteplase, Recombinant
- Amiloride
- Amphetamine
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Aspirin
- Azathioprine
- Azilsartan
- Azilsartan Medoxomil
- Benzphetamine
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Candesartan Cilexetil
- Canrenoate
- Celecoxib
- Choline Salicylate
- Clonixin
- Deslanoside
- Desmopressin
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Dextroamphetamine
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Digitalis
- Digitoxin
- Digoxin
- Dipyrone
- Droperidol
- Droxicam
- Eplerenone
- Eprosartan
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Everolimus
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Flecainide
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Flurbiprofen
- Ibuprofen
- Indomethacin
- Irbesartan
- Ketanserin
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Levomethadyl
- Lisdexamfetamine
- Lithium
- Lornoxicam
- Losartan
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Mercaptopurine
- Methamphetamine
- Methotrexate
- Metildigoxin
- Morniflumate
- Nabumetone
- Naproxen
- Nepafenac
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Olmesartan Medoxomil
- Ouabain
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Parecoxib
- Phenylbutazone
- Piketoprofen
- Piroxicam
- Porfimer
- Potassium
- Potassium Phosphate
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Proscillaridin
- Rofecoxib
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Sirolimus
- Sodium Salicylate
- Sotalol
- Spironolactone
- Sulindac
- Telmisartan
- Tenoxicam
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Triamterene
- Trimethoprim
- Valdecoxib
- Valsartan
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.
- Aminolevulinic Acid
- Azosemide
- Bepridil
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Bumetanide
- Bupivacaine
- Bupivacaine Liposome
- Capsaicin
- Carbamazepine
- Celecoxib
- Cholestyramine
- Choline Salicylate
- Clonixin
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Dipyrone
- Droxicam
- Ethacrynic Acid
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Flurbiprofen
- Furosemide
- Ginkgo
- Gold Sodium Thiomalate
- Gossypol
- Ibuprofen
- Indomethacin
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Licorice
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Morniflumate
- Nabumetone
- Naproxen
- Nepafenac
- Nesiritide
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Parecoxib
- Phenylbutazone
- Piketoprofen
- Piretanide
- Piroxicam
- Proglumetacin
- Propionic Acid
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Rofecoxib
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Sodium Salicylate
- Sulindac
- Tenoxicam
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Topiramate
- Torsemide
- Valdecoxib
How much does Moexipril/hydrochlorothiazide cost?
$30.70
