ACCURETIC (QUINAPRIL/HCTZ)

Accuretic Can Reduce Your Risk of a Heart Attack or Stroke

If you are among the millions of individuals diagnosed with hypertension, your doctor may recommend a prescription for Accuretic to reduce your blood pressure. Hypertension affects approximately 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. and 1 in 5 adults in Canada. It is a major risk factor for stroke, heart attack or failure, peripheral arterial disease and a cause of chronic kidney disease. High blood pressure does not cause problems over days, weeks, or even months; but over many years.

How the Active Ingredients in Accuretic Work

Accuretic contains both Quinapril and HCTZ. Quinapril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that inhibits the enzyme responsible for producing angiotensin II that causes the muscles in most of your arteries to contract, including the arteries to your heart. This narrowing makes it difficult for your heart to pump blood efficiently to other organs so the strain and pressure builds up in your arteries and causes high blood pressure.

HCTZ is hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic that works on various areas of your kidneys to promote urination as a way to eliminate excess salt and water as well as widening your blood vessels to relieve the pressure of your blood flow. Accuretic will not cure hypertension, but it can help reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease from high blood pressure. Eating healthier, exercising, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption can help keep your blood pressure manageable, too.

Conditions Treated by Accuretic

Coronary artery disease is more likely to develop in those with untreated hypertension because of the added force of the blood flow on your arterial walls. The extra pressure will damage your arteries over time and make them more susceptible to narrowing and developing a build-up of plaque associated with atherosclerosis. As the blood flow to your heart muscle decreases, you may experience chest pain called angina because your heart is being deprived of oxygen. This could be the warning you need to see a doctor and determine if you are hypertensive and require Accuretic.

Before You Take Accuretic

Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease or other medical conditions that could interfere with the ability to take Accuretic or generic Quinapril/HCTZ. Provide a list of all current Rx drugs and OTC meds you are taking, including herbal preparations and vitamin supplements as you could experience adverse effects if combined with Accuretic. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

Accuretic Precautions

You should not take Accuretic if you are pregnant, thinking about becoming pregnant, or are breast feeding as it may be harmful. If you have diabetes, do not take Accuretic together with any medication that contains Aliskiren. Avoid exposure to sunlight, tanning beds, or sunlamps as Accuretic can make your skin more sensitive to the UV rays.

Possible Accuretic Side Effects

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Dry cough