Univasc

Pronunciation: moe-EX-i-pril
Generic Name: Moexipril
Brand Name: Univasc

Univasc can cause injury and possibly death to a developing fetus when used during pregnancy. Contact your doctor at once if you suspect that you are pregnant.

Univasc is used for:

Treating high blood pressure. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used to treat certain conditions as determined by your doctor.

Univasc is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It works by relaxing blood vessels. This helps to lower blood pressure.

Do NOT use Univasc if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Univasc


• you have a history of angioedema (swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness), including angioedema caused by treatment with an ACE inhibitor


• you are pregnant

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Univasc:

Some medical conditions may interact with Univasc. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are able to become pregnant


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of bone marrow problems, blood vessel problems, blood flow problems, heart problems (eg, heart failure), kidney problems (eg, renal artery stenosis), liver problems, or an autoimmune disease (eg, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma)


• if you have a history of stroke, recent heart attack, or kidney transplant


• if you are dehydrated or have low blood volume


• if you have high blood potassium levels, low blood sodium levels, or are on a low-salt (sodium) diet


• if you have diabetes, especially if you are also taking aliskiren


• if you are on dialysis, or are scheduled to have major surgery or receive anesthesia


• if you are receiving treatments to reduce sensitivity to bee or wasp stings

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Univasc. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Dextran sulfate, diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), or mTOR inhibitors (eg, everolimus, sirolimus) because they may increase the risk of Univasc's side effects, such as low blood pressure or angioedema


• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (eg, valsartan) because the risk of serious kidney problems and high blood potassium levels may be increased


• Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), aliskiren, potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene), potassium supplements, or trimethoprim because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased


• Certain gold-containing medicines (eg, sodium aurothiomalate) because flushing, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure may occur


• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin, celecoxib) because they may decrease Univasc's effectiveness and the risk of kidney problems may be increased


• Insulin or other diabetes medicines (eg, glyburide, metformin) because the risk of low blood sugar may be increased


• Lithium or thiopurines (eg, azathioprine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Univasc may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Univasc:

Use Univasc as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Univasc 1 hour before meals, unless your doctor directs you otherwise.


• Drink plenty of fluids while taking Univasc. Not drinking enough fluids or excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting can lead to light-headedness or fainting.


• Continue to take Univasc even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Univasc, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Univasc.

Important safety information:

• Univasc may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Univasc with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Univasc may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.


• Dehydration, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur.


• Do not stop taking Univasc or change your dose of Univasc without checking with your doctor.


• Univasc may cause a serious side effect called angioedema. The risk may be higher in black patients. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness.


• Univasc may not work as well in black patients. Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse.


• Univasc may cause a dry, unproductive cough. If caused by Univasc, this symptom usually stops after treatment with Univasc is stopped.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Univasc before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.


• Univasc may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Univasc. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than short time.


• Rarely, Univasc may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. This risk may be greater if you have certain other health problems (eg, kidney problems, collagen vascular disease). Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.


• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.


• If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.


• Lab tests, including kidney function, blood electrolyte levels, and blood pressure monitoring, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Univasc with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Univasc should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Univasc may cause birth defects or fetal or newborn death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Univasc is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you take Univasc, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Univasc:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; fatigue; flu-like symptoms; light-headedness when sitting or standing; persistent, dry cough.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); chest pain; confusion; decreased urination; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; mental or mood changes; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; severe or persistent dizziness or light-headedness; shortness of breath; slurred speech; stomach pain (with or without nausea or vomiting); sudden, severe headache or vomiting; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, persistent sore throat); symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine, loss of appetite, pale stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes); vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Univasc side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; severe dizziness or light-headedness.

Proper storage of Univasc:

Store Univasc at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Univasc out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Univasc, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Univasc is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Univasc. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Univasc resources

• Univasc Side Effects (in more detail)
• Univasc Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Univasc Drug Interactions
• Univasc Support Group
• 2 Reviews for Univasc - Add your own review/rating

• Univasc Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Univasc Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Univasc Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Univasc Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Moexipril Prescribing Information (FDA)

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