Moexipril

Pronunciation

(mo EKS i pril)

U.S. Brand Names

Univasc®

Synonyms

Moexipril Hydrochloride

Generic Available

Yes

Use

Treatment of hypertension, alone or in combination with thiazide diuretics; treatment of left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction

Pregnancy Risk Factor

C/D (2nd and 3rd trimesters)

Pregnancy Implications

Cranial defects, hypocalvaria/acalvaria, oligohydramnios, persistent anuria following delivery, hypotension, renal defects, renal dysgenesis/dysplasia, renal failure, pulmonary hypoplasia, limb contractures secondary to oligohydramnios, and stillbirth reported. ACE inhibitors should be avoided during pregnancy, particularly in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.

Lactation

Excretion in breast milk unknown/use caution

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to moexipril, moexiprilat, or any component of the formulation; hypersensitivity or allergic reactions or angioedema related to previous treatment with an ACE inhibitor; pregnancy (2nd or 3rd trimester)

Warnings/Precautions

Anaphylactic reactions can occur. Angioedema can occur at any time during treatment (especially following first dose). Angioedema may involve head and neck (potentially affecting the airway) or the intestine (presenting with abdominal pain). Careful blood pressure monitoring with first dose (hypotension can occur especially in volume depleted patients). Dosage adjustment needed in renal impairment. Use with caution in hypovolemia; collagen vascular diseases; valvular stenosis (particularly aortic stenosis); hyperkalemia; or before, during, or immediately after anesthesia. Avoid rapid dosage escalation which may lead to renal insufficiency. Rare toxicities associated with ACE inhibitors include cholestatic jaundice (which may progress to hepatic necrosis) and neutropenia/agranulocytosis with myeloid hyperplasia. If patient has renal impairment then a baseline WBC with differential and serum creatinine should be evaluated and monitored closely during the first 3 months of therapy. Hypersensitivity reactions may be seen during hemodialysis with high-flux dialysis membranes (eg, AN69). Deterioration in renal function can occur with initiation. Use with caution in unilateral renal artery stenosis and pre-existing renal insufficiency.

Adverse Reactions

1% to 10%:

Cardiovascular: Hypotension, peripheral edema

Central nervous system: Headache, dizziness, fatigue

Dermatologic: Alopecia, flushing, rash

Endocrine & metabolic: Hyperkalemia, hyponatremia

Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, nausea, heartburn

Genitourinary: Polyuria

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Myalgia

Renal: Reversible increases in creatinine or BUN

Respiratory: Cough, pharyngitis, upper respiratory infection, sinusitis

<1% (Limited to important or life-threatening): Alopecia, angioedema, chest pain, MI, palpitation, arrhythmia, syncope, cerebrovascular accident, orthostatic hypotension, hypercholesterolemia, anemia, elevated LFTs, hepatitis, oliguria, proteinuria, bronchospasm, dyspnea, eosinophilic pneumonitis

Overdosage/Toxicology

Mild hypotension has been the primary toxic effect seen with acute overdose. Bradycardia may also occur. Hyperkalemia occurs even with therapeutic doses, especially in patients with renal insufficiency and those taking NSAIDs. Treatment is symptom-directed and supportive.

Drug Interactions

ACE inhibitors: Potential for allergic reactions increased with moexipril.

Allopurinol: Potential for allergic reactions increased with moexipril.

Alpha1 blockers: Hypotensive effect increased.

Antacids: May decrease the bioavailability of ACE inhibitors (may be more likely to occur with captopril); separate administration times by 1-2 hours.

Aspirin: The effects of ACE inhibitors may be blunted by aspirin administration, particularly at higher dosages; may increase potential for adverse renal effects.

Diuretics: Hypovolemia due to diuretics may precipitate acute hypotensive events or acute renal failure.

Insulin: Risk of hypoglycemia may be increased.

Lithium: Risk of lithium toxicity may be increased; monitor lithium levels, especially the first 4 weeks of therapy.

Mercaptopurine: Risk of neutropenia may be increased.

NSAIDs: May attenuate hypertensive efficacy; effect has been seen with captopril and may occur with other ACE inhibitors; monitor blood pressure. May increase potential to alter renal function.

Potassium-sparing diuretics (amiloride, potassium, spironolactone, triamterene): Increased risk of hyperkalemia.

Potassium supplements may increase the risk of hyperkalemia.

Probenecid: Blood levels of moexipril are increased (may occur with other ACE inhibitors).

Trimethoprim (high dose) may increase the risk of hyperkalemia.

Ethanol/Nutrition/Herb Interactions

Food: Food may delay and reduce peak serum levels.

Herb/Nutraceutical: Avoid dong quai if using for hypertension (has estrogenic activity). Avoid ephedra, yohimbe, ginseng (may worsen hypertension). Avoid garlic (may have increased antihypertensive effect).

Mechanism of Action

Competitive inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE); prevents conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor; results in lower levels of angiotensin II which causes an increase in plasma renin activity and a reduction in aldosterone secretion

Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics

Onset of action: Peak effect: 1-2 hours

Duration: >24 hours

Distribution: Vd (moexiprilat): 180 L

Protein binding, plasma: Moexipril: 90%; Moexiprilat: 50% to 70%

Metabolism: Parent drug: Hepatic and via GI tract to moexiprilat, 1000 times more potent than parent

Bioavailability: Moexiprilat: 13%; reduced with food (AUC decreased by ~40%)

Half-life elimination: Moexipril: 1 hour; Moexiprilat: 2-9 hours

Time to peak: 1.5 hours

Excretion: Feces (50%)

Dosage

Adults: Oral: Initial: 7.5 mg once daily (in patients not receiving diuretics), 1 hour prior to a meal or 3.75 mg once daily (when combined with thiazide diuretics); maintenance dose: 7.5-30 mg/day in 1 or 2 divided doses 1 hour before meals

Dosing adjustment in renal impairment: Clcr 40 mL/minute: Patients may be cautiously placed on 3.75 mg once daily, then upwardly titrated to a maximum of 15 mg/day.

Monitoring Parameters

Blood pressure, heart rate, electrolytes, CBC, symptoms of hypotension

Test Interactions

Increases BUN, creatinine, potassium, positive Coombs' [direct]; decreases cholesterol (S); may cause false-positive results in urine acetone determinations using sodium nitroprusside reagent

Dietary Considerations

Administer on an empty stomach.

Patient Education

Inform prescriber of all prescriptions, OTC medications, or herbal products you are taking, and any allergies you have. Do not take any new medication during therapy without consulting prescriber. Take as directed on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Do not alter dose or discontinue without consulting prescriber. Take first dose at bedtime. Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without consulting prescriber. This drug does not eliminate need for diet or exercise regimen as recommended by prescriber. May cause dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness (use caution when driving or engaging in tasks that require alertness until response to drug is known); postural hypotension (use caution when rising from lying or sitting position or climbing stairs); nausea or heartburn (small, frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking lozenges, or chewing gum may help); diarrhea (buttermilk, boiled milk, or yogurt may help); or loss of hair (may be reversible when drug is discontinued). Report respiratory difficulty or unusual cough, painful muscles, rash, excessive urination, or other persistent adverse reactions. Pregnancy/breast-feeding precautions: Inform prescriber if you are or intend to become pregnant. This drug should not be used in the 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Consult prescriber for appropriate contraceptive measures if necessary. Consult prescriber if breast-feeding.

Nursing Implications

Observe for symptoms of severe hypotension, especially within the first 2 hours following the initial dose or subsequent increases in dose as well as for signs of hyperkalemia or cough; administer on an empty stomach

Cardiovascular Considerations

ACE inhibitors decrease morbidity and mortality in patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. In this situation, they decrease hospitalizations for, and retard progression to, congestive heart failure. According to 2004 ACC/AHA STEMI guidelines, an ACE inhibitor should be administered orally within the first 24 hours of STEMI to patients with anterior infarction, pulmonary congestion or LVEF <0.4, in the absence of hypotension or known contraindications to that class of medicines. In the emergency management of complicated STEMI, a short-acting ACEI (eg, captopril 1-6.25 mg) may be added once the patient's systolic blood pressure is >100 mm Hg and not <30 mm Hg below baseline. When used in patients with heart failure, the target dose should be achieved, if possible. Lower daily doses of ACE inhibitors have not demonstrated the same cardioprotective effects. Moexipril has not been as extensively studied in this setting as other ACE inhibitors and therefore should be titrated to the maximum or maximum tolerated dose. ACE inhibitors have renal protective effects in patients with proteinuria and possibly cardioprotective effects in high-risk patients.

ACE inhibitor therapy may elicit rapid increases in potassium and creatinine, especially when used in patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis. When ACE inhibition is introduced in patients with pre-existing diuretic therapy who are hypovolemic, the ACE inhibitor may induce acute hypotension. In those patients experiencing cough on an ACE inhibitor, the ACE inhibitor may be discontinued and, if necessary, angiotensin receptor blocker therapy instituted. Concomitant NSAID therapy may attenuate blood pressure control; use of NSAIDs should be avoided or limited, with monitoring of blood pressure control. In the setting of heart failure, NSAID use may be associated with an increased risk for fluid accumulation and edema. Because of the potent teratogenic effects of ACE inhibitors, these drugs should be avoided, if possible, when treating women of childbearing potential not on effective birth control measures.

In the treatment of unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation MI, ACE inhibitors are recommended when hypertension persists despite treatment with nitroglycerin and a beta-blocker in patients with LV systolic dysfunction or CHF and in ischemic patients with diabetes (Class I). ACE inhibitors are also recommended for all post-ACS individuals (Class IIa).

Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment

No significant effects or complications reported

Dental Health: Vasoconstrictor/Local Anesthetic Precautions

No information available to require special precautions

Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status

May cause drowsiness or dizziness; may rarely cause anxiety or mood changes

Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment

May cause neutropenia; use caution with clozapine and carbamazepine; may decrease lithium clearance resulting in an increase in serum lithium levels and potential lithium toxicity; monitor serum lithium levels

Dosage Forms

Tablet, as hydrochloride [film coated, scored]: 7.5 mg, 15 mg

References

Antman EM, Anbe SC, Alpert JS, et al, "ACC/AHA Guidelines for the Management of Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction - Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 1999 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction)," Circulation, 2004, 110:588-636. Available at: http://www.circulationaha.org/cgi/content/full/110/5/588. Last accessed October 26, 2004.

Braunwald E, Antman EM, Beasley JW, et al, "ACC/AHA 2002 Guideline Update for the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina and Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction - Summary Article: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Committee on the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina)," J Am Coll Cardiol , 2002, 40(7):1366-74. Available at: http://www.acc.org/clinical/guidelines/unstable/incorporated/index.0nhtm. Accessed May 20, 2003.

Chase MP, Fiarman GS, Scholz FJ, et al, "Angioedema of the Small Bowel Due to an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor," J Clin Gastroenterol , 2000, 31(3):254-7.

Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR, et al, "The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure: The JNC 7 Report," JAMA , 2003, 289(19):2560-71.

Conlin P, Moore T, Swartz S, et al, "Effect of Indomethacin on Blood Pressure Lowering by Captopril and Losartan in Hypertensive Patients," Hypertension , 2000, 36(3):461-5.

"Consensus Recommendations for the Management of Chronic Heart Failure. On Behalf of the Membership of the Advisory Council to Improve Outcomes Nationwide in Heart Failure," Am J Cardiol , 1999, 83(2A):1A-38A.

"Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Heart Failure. Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Committee on Evaluation and Management of Heart Failure)," Circulation , 1995, 92(9):2764-84.

Hunt SA, Baker DW, Chin MH, et al, "ACC/AHA Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Heart Failure in the Adult: Executive Summary. A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Committee to Revise the 1995 Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Heart Failure)," J Am Coll Cardiol , 2001, 38(7):2101-13.

"K/DOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chronic Kidney Disease: Evaluation, Classification, and Stratification. Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative," Am J Kidney Dis , 2002, 39(2 Suppl 2):1-246. Available at: http://www.kidney.org/professionals/doqi/kdoqi/toc.htm. Accessed August 1, 2003.

Konstam MA, "Heart Failure Evaluation and Care of Patients With Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction," Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, 1994. Clinical Practice Guideline: Number 94-0612.

Lewis EJ, Hunsicker LG, Bain RP, et al, "The Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition on Diabetic Nephropathy," N Engl J Med , 1993, 329(20):1456-62.

Packer M, Poole-Wilson PA, Armstrong PW, et al, "Comparative Effects of Low and High Doses of the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor, Lisinopril, on Morbidity and Mortality in Chronic Heart Failure," Circulation , 1999, 100(23):2312-8.

Pfeffer MA, Greaves SC, Arnold JM, et al, "Early Versus Delayed Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition Therapy in Acute Myocardial Infarction. The Healing and Early Afterload Reducing Therapy Trial," Circulation , 1997, 95(12):2643-51.

Smoger SH and Sayed MA, "Simultaneous Mucosal and Small Bowel Angioedema Due to Captopril," South Med J , 1998, 91(11):1060-3.

International Brand Names

Cardiotensin® (PL); Femipres® (IT); Fempress® (AT, DE); Moex® (CZ, FR, RU); Pedrix® (IL); Perdix® (GB, IL, NO, ZA); Univasc® (TR)

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