Health Centres - Accuretic
How does it work?
Accuretic tablets contain two active ingredients, quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide. Quinapril is a type of medicine called an ACE inhibitor. Hydrochlorothiazide is a type of medicine called a thiazide diuretic. These are both medicines used to lower high blood pressure.
ACE inhibitors such as quinapril work by blocking the action of a compound in the body called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Normally ACE produces another compound called angiotensin II, as part of the body's natural control of blood pressure. Angiotensin II causes blood vessels to constrict and narrow, which increases the pressure within the blood vessels.
As quinapril blocks the action of ACE, it reduces the production of angiotensin II. This means that the blood vessels are allowed to relax and widen. The overall effect of this is a drop in blood pressure, hence quinapril can be used to lower high blood pressure.
Diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide are sometimes referred to as ‘water tablets’. They remove excess fluid from the body by increasing the production of urine.
Diuretics act in the kidneys. They work by causing the kidneys to increase the amount of salts, such as potassium and sodium, that are filtered out of the blood and into the urine. When these salts are filtered out of the blood by the kidneys, they draw water alongside them. As diuretics increase the removal of salts from the blood, they also cause more water to be drawn out of the blood and into the urine.
Removing water from the blood decreases the volume of fluid circulating through the blood vessels. This subsequently decreases the pressure within the blood vessels. Diuretics can therefore be used to lower high blood pressure.
The combination of quinapril with hydrochlorothiazide is used when blood pressure has not been lowered sufficiently using quinapril on its own.
What is it used for?
Warning!
- Diuretics cause your kidneys to produce more urine, so you may prefer to take this medicine in the morning rather than before going to bed. This will avoid disturbing your sleep with the need to get up in the night to visit the toilet. Seek further advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine may make you feel dizzy as a result of the drop in your blood pressure. If you feel dizzy this can usually be relieved by lying down until the symptoms pass. If affected you should avoid performing potentially hazardous tasks such as driving or operating machinary. If you frequently feel dizzy you should let your doctor know, as your dose of this medicine may need reducing.
- Alcohol may enhance the blood pressure lowering effect of this medicine, which can increase dizziness and may increase the risk of fainting.
- ACE inhibitors can sometimes cause an allergic reaction called angioedema. This is more likely to occur in black patients.
© Copyright 1998 - 2009 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved 
