Side Effects of Fosinopril

Common side effects of fosinopril include a cough, dizziness, and nausea. There can also be some rare side effects of fosinopril, including weight gain, depression, and a decreased sex drive. You should consult a healthcare provider immediately if you develop side effects such as unexplained swelling of the head or neck, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a decrease in the amount of urine produced.

  

An Overview of Fosinopril Side Effects

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects associated with fosinopril sodium (Monopril®). However, not everyone who takes fosinopril will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate fosinopril well. When side effects do occur, in many cases they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
 
About 4.1 percent of people with high blood pressure and about 8 percent of people with congestive heart failure stop taking fosinopril because of side effects.
 
(The fosinopril side effects discussed below are not a complete list of side effects reported with this drug. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of fosinopril side effects with you.)
 

Common Fosinopril Side Effects

Extensive clinical trials have looked at the effects of fosinopril on thousands of people worldwide.
 In these studies, side effects are always documented and compared to side effects that occur in a similar group of people not taking the medicine.
 
Based on these studies, the most common fosinopril side effects seen in people with high blood pressure include:
 
  • Cough -- occurring in up to 2.2 percent of people (see Fosinopril Cough)
  • Dizziness -- up to 1.6 percent
  • Nausea or vomiting -- up to 1.2 percent.
     
In people with congestive heart failure, the most common side effects include:
 
  • Dizziness -- occurring in up to 11.9 percent of people
  • Cough -- up to 9.7 percent
  • Low blood pressure -- up to 4.4 percent
  • Muscle pain -- up to 3.3 percent
  • Nausea or vomiting -- up to 2.2 percent
  • Chest pain not related to the heart -- up to 2.2 percent
  • Upper respiratory infection, such as the flu or common cold -- up to 2.2 percent.
     
Other side effects with fosinopril (occurring in more than 1 percent of people with high blood pressure or heart failure) include, but are not limited to:
 
  • High levels of potassium in the blood
  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting when going from lying down or sitting to standing
  • Weakness
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache.
     

Add
Email
Print
(Side Effects of Fosinopril Continued: Page 2)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
Other Articles in This eMedTV Presentation
Referring Pages Articles