An ACE inhibitor for high blood pressure
Moexipril
An ACE inhibitor used to lower high blood pressure, known for a dry cough and the need to avoid pregnancy.
What is Moexipril?
Moexipril is an ACE inhibitor, a type of medicine used to lower high blood pressure. It works by relaxing and widening blood vessels, which lowers the pressure inside them and eases the work of the heart. A well-known side effect of ACE inhibitors is a persistent dry cough. They can also raise blood potassium and affect the kidneys, so blood tests are used, and rarely they cause swelling called angioedema. ACE inhibitors must not be taken in pregnancy. It is taken by mouth, usually once a day.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Moexipril — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Moexipril is one of a family of medicines called ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors), which are widely used to treat high blood pressure and to protect the heart and kidneys in certain conditions. By lowering blood pressure, ACE inhibitors reduce the long-term risks of high blood pressure, such as stroke and heart problems. Moexipril is taken by mouth, usually once a day, and is generally a long-term treatment. It works in the same way as other well-known ACE inhibitors such as ramipril and lisinopril, sharing their benefits and their typical pattern of side effects.
How it works
Moexipril blocks an enzyme called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which the body uses to make a substance called angiotensin II. Angiotensin II narrows blood vessels and encourages the body to hold on to salt and water, both of which raise blood pressure. By blocking its production, moexipril lets blood vessels relax and widen and helps the body lose a little extra salt and water, so blood pressure falls and the heart does not have to work as hard. The same effects on the kidneys are usually helpful but mean kidney function and potassium need checking, as ACE inhibitors can raise potassium levels.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Generic.
An ACE inhibitor used to lower blood pressure, one of a well-established family of medicines widely used in the UK.
What it treats
Conditions Moexipril is used for
Practical use
How to take Moexipril
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it by mouth, usually once a day, at about the same time each day.
- Attend your blood tests to check your kidney function and potassium level.
- Get up slowly at first, as it can cause dizziness, especially with the first few doses.
- Seek urgent help if your face, lips, tongue or throat swell, as this can be a serious reaction (angioedema).
- Do not take it if you are or might be pregnant, and tell your doctor promptly; ACE inhibitors are not safe in pregnancy.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Moexipril
Advantages
- Effectively lowers high blood pressure, reducing the long-term risk of stroke and heart problems.
- Taken by mouth, usually once a day.
- Part of a well-established family of medicines with extensive experience behind their use.
Disadvantages
- Can cause a persistent dry cough.
- Can raise blood potassium and affect the kidneys, so blood tests are needed.
- Must not be used in pregnancy, and rarely can cause serious swelling (angioedema).
Practical use
Good to know
There are a few important things to understand about moexipril and ACE inhibitors generally. A common and harmless but sometimes annoying side effect is a persistent dry, tickly cough, which can be a reason to switch to a different type of medicine. ACE inhibitors can raise the level of potassium in the blood and can affect the kidneys, so blood tests are done when starting and from time to time afterwards. A rare but serious side effect is angioedema, a sudden swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, which needs urgent medical attention. Crucially, ACE inhibitors must not be taken in pregnancy, as they can harm the baby, so anyone who could become pregnant should discuss contraception and tell their doctor promptly if they think they might be pregnant. The first dose can sometimes cause dizziness, so it is often taken at a time when you can rest.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- Women who are pregnant or might become pregnant, as ACE inhibitors can harm the baby.
- People who have had angioedema (serious swelling) with an ACE inhibitor before.
- People with certain kidney artery problems (renal artery stenosis) or very high blood potassium.
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to it.
Monitoring
- Checking blood pressure to see how well it is working.
- Checking kidney function and potassium when starting and periodically afterwards.
- Watching for cough, dizziness and any signs of swelling (angioedema).
Side effects
- A persistent dry, tickly cough.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when starting or standing up quickly.
- Raised blood potassium and changes in kidney function, picked up on blood tests.
- Rarely but seriously, angioedema (sudden swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat), which needs urgent care.
Key interactions
- Other medicines that raise potassium, including potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements and ARBs, add to the risk of high potassium.
- NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory painkillers) can reduce its effect and worsen kidney function when combined.
- Diuretics and other blood-pressure medicines can add to its blood-pressure-lowering effect, sometimes causing dizziness.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Moexipril: frequently asked questions
What is moexipril used for?
It is an ACE inhibitor used to lower high blood pressure, which reduces the long-term risk of problems such as stroke and heart disease.
Why does it cause a cough?
A persistent dry, tickly cough is a well-known side effect of ACE inhibitors; it is harmless but can be a reason to switch to a different type of blood-pressure medicine.
Why do I need blood tests?
ACE inhibitors can raise blood potassium and affect the kidneys, so blood tests are done when starting and from time to time to make sure these stay safe.
Can I take it in pregnancy?
No. ACE inhibitors can harm the baby and must not be used in pregnancy; tell your doctor promptly if you are or might be pregnant so your treatment can be changed.
What is angioedema?
It is a rare but serious reaction causing sudden swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat; if this happens, seek urgent medical help straight away.
The wider class
About ACE inhibitor (blood pressure)
Moexipril belongs to the ace inhibitor (blood pressure) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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