Principal Uses

As a Single Drug Product: Used primarily to treat all degrees of high blood pressure. Mild to moderate high blood pressure usually responds to low doses; severe high blood pressure requires higher doses, with greater risk of serious adverse effects. Also used to treat selected cases of advanced heart failure that have not responded to conventional treatment with digitalis and diuretics.

How This Drug Works: Not completely known. It is thought that by blocking certain enzyme systems that influence arterial function, this drug contributes to the relaxation of arterial walls throughout the body and thus lowers the resistance to blood flow that causes high blood pressure. This, in turn, reduces the workload of the heart and improves its performance.

Available Dosage Forms and Strengths

Tablets — 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg

Usual Adult Dosage Range: Initially 12.5 to 25 mg 2 or 3 times daily for 2

weeks. If necessary, dose may be increased to 50 mg 3 times daily. Usual maintenance dose is 50 to 100 mg 3 times daily. Total daily dose should not exceed 450 mg. Note: Actual dosage and administration schedule must be determined by the physician for each patient individually.

Dosing Instructions: Take on empty stomach, 1 hour before meals, at same

time each day. Tablet may be crushed for administration.

Usual Duration of Use: Continual use on a regular schedule for several weeks is usually necessary to determine this drug's effectiveness in controlling high blood pressure. The proper treatment of high blood pressure usually requires the long-term use of effective medications. Consult your physician on a regular basis.

This Drug Should Not Be Taken If

• you have had an allergic reaction to it previously.

• you currently have a blood cell or bone marrow disorder.

• you have active liver disease.

• you have an abnormally high level of blood potassium.

Inform Your Physician Before Taking This Drug If

• you have a history of kidney disease or impaired kidney function.

• you have scleroderma or systemic lupus erythematosus.

• you have any form of heart disease.

• you have diabetes.

• you are taking any of the following drugs: other antihypertensives,
diuretics, nitrates, allopurinol (Zyloprim), Indocin or potassium sup­-
plements.

• you plan to have surgery under general anesthesia in the near future.

Possible Side-Effects (natural, expected and unavoidable drug actions) Dizziness, light-headedness, fainting (excessive drop in blood pressure).