Warnings and Precautions With Fosinopril

• There are a number of medicines that fosinopril can interact with (see Drug Interactions With Fosinopril).

• ACE inhibitors, including fosinopril, are more likely than other drugs to cause allergic reactions. For example, there have been reports of severe allergic reactions occurring in people who were taking fosinopril during dialysis. There have also been reports of severe reactions in people getting bee or wasp venom to protect against stings.

Make sure to discuss these risks with your healthcare provider. Also, seek emergency medical attention immediately if you notice things such as hives, an unexplained rash, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face or throat.

• ACE inhibitors may cause swelling (angioedema) of the head and neck, including the tongue, lips, eyes, or throat. This occurs more frequently in African Americans. Seek emergency medical care immediately if you notice swelling in the head or neck area, or if you have wheezing, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
   
• In addition to head and neck angioedema, ACE inhibitors have been known to cause swelling in the intestines. This is known as intestinal angioedema. Symptoms may include stomach pain with or without vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately if you develop any of these symptoms.
   
• Fosinopril may cause extremely low blood pressure in some people. Extremely low blood pressure is more likely to happen in people who are taking a diuretic, who are on dialysis, who have diarrhea or vomiting, or who have excessive sweating. This is why it is important to drink fluids regularly while taking fosinopril. If you have any possible symptoms of low blood pressure, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, contact your healthcare provider and stop taking the medicine.

Also, make sure not to drive, operate any heavy machinery, or perform any other tasks that require alertness before you know how fosinopril affects you.

• Fosinopril is a pregnancy Category C medicine for the first trimester and a pregnancy Category D medicine for the second and third trimesters, meaning that fosinopril poses health risks to your unborn child. Let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking fosinopril, contact your healthcare provider immediately (see Fosinopril and Pregnancy for more information).
   
• ACE inhibitors, including fosinopril, are known to cause a cough. If a cough becomes bothersome, talk to your healthcare provider about other treatment options for your condition (see Fosinopril Cough).
   
• While taking fosinopril, do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes with potassium unless you have discussed this with your doctor. This is because in some people taking fosinopril, potassium in the blood can increase to dangerous levels.
   
• People on fosinopril can be at increased risk of infections. Talk to your healthcare provider if you develop any symptoms (such as a sore throat or fever) that may indicate an infection.
   
• ACE inhibitors, including fosinopril, have been known to cause a decrease in kidney function, especially in certain groups (such as those with severe congestive heart failure). Let your healthcare provider know if you have symptoms such as a decrease in urine output, drowsiness, headache, or back pain. Your healthcare provider will also regularly check your kidney function with a blood test.
   
• In clinical studies, ACE inhibitors, including fosinopril, have rarely been known to cause liver failure. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice things such as nausea, tiredness, lethargy, itchy or yellowing skin, abdominal pain, or flu-like symptoms.
   
• If you are nursing, it is not known whether fosinopril passes through your breast milk. Therefore, if you are nursing, talk with your healthcare provider about whether you should stop taking fosinopril or stop breastfeeding.