Overview
DESCRIPTION Fosinopril sodium is the sodium salt of fosinopril, the ester prodrug of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, fosinoprilat. It contains a phosphinate group capable of specific binding to the active site of angiotensin-converting enzyme. Fosinopril sodium is designated chemically as: L-proline, 4-cyclohexyl-1-[[[2-methyl-1-(1-oxopropoxy) propoxy] (4-phenylbutyl)...
Mechanism of Action
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Mechanism of Action In animals and humans, fosinopril sodium is hydrolyzed by esterases to the pharmacologically active form, fosinoprilat, a specific competitive inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). ACE is a peptidyl dipeptidase that catalyzes the conversion of angiotensin I to the vasoconstrictor substance, angiotensin II. Angiotensin II also stimulates aldosterone secretion by the adrenal cortex. Inhibition of ACE results in decreased plasma angiotensin II, which leads to decreased vasopressor activity and to decreased aldosterone secretion. The latter decrease may result in a small increase of serum potassium. In 647 hypertensive patients treated with fosinopril alone for an average of 29 weeks, mean increases in serum potassium of 0.
Indications
- INDICATIONS AND USAGE Fosinopril sodium tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension. They may be used alone or in combination with thiazide diuretics. Fosinopril sodium tablets are indicated in the management of heart failure as adjunctive therapy when added to conventional therapy including diuretics with or without digitalis (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). In using fosinopril sodium, consideration should be given to the fact that another angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril, has caused agranulocytosis, particularly in patients with renal impairment or...
Common Doses
- 10 mg
- 40 mg
- 80 mg
- 0.6 mg
Dosage
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Hypertension Adults The recommended initial dose of fosinopril sodium tablets USP is 10 mg once a day, both as monotherapy and when the drug is added to a diuretic. Dosage should then be adjusted according to blood pressure response at peak (2 to 6 hours) and trough (about 24 hours after dosing) blood levels. The usual dosage range needed to maintain a response at trough is 20 to 40 mg but some patients appear to have a further response to 80 mg.
Black Box Warning
WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY • When pregnancy is detected, discontinue fosinopril sodium tablets as soon as possible. • Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. See WARNINGS, Fetal TOXICITY
Contraindications
- CONTRAINDICATIONS Fosinopril sodium tablets are contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to this product or to any other angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (e.g., a patient who has experienced angioedema with any other ACE inhibitor therapy). Do not co-administer fosinopril sodium tablets with aliskiren in patients with diabetes.
Side Effects
- ADVERSE REACTIONS Fosinopril sodium tablets have been evaluated for safety in more than 2100 individuals in hypertension and heart failure trials, including approximately 530 patients treated for a year or more. Generally adverse events were mild and transient, and their frequency was not prominently related to dose within the recommended daily dosage range. Hypertension In placebo-controlled clinical trials (688 fosinopril sodium-treated patients), the usual duration of therapy was 2 to 3 months. Discontinuations due to any clinical or laboratory adverse event were 4.1% and 1.
Interactions
- Drug Interactions Diuretics Patients on diuretics, especially those with intravascular volume depletion, may occasionally experience an excessive reduction of blood pressure after initiation of therapy with fosinopril sodium tablets. The possibility of hypotensive effects with fosinopril sodium can be minimized by either discontinuing the diuretic or increasing salt intake prior to initiation of treatment with fosinopril sodium.