Fosinopril and Fosinopril / HCTZ Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Fosinopril is a medication that treats high blood pressure and heart failure. It belongs to a class of medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.Taking the right dosage of fosinopril is essential for getting the most from the medication while minimizing side effects.

Fosinopril comes in 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg tablets. It also comes in a combination tablet that contains fosinopril and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a diuretic. Fosinopril / HCTZ comes in tablets that contain 10mg or 20 mg of fosinopril and 12.5 mg of HCTZ.

Here, we'll cover the typical fosinopril dosages for adults and children. We'll also cover the recommended fosinopril / HCTZ dosage for adults. Keep in mind that your dosage may differ from what's described below. Be sure to follow the recommendations from your healthcare team.

What are the typical fosinopril and fosinopril / HCTZ dosages for adults?

Your fosinopril dosage may vary depending on what condition you're treating.

High blood pressure

For high blood pressure (hypertension), the typical fosinopril dosage for adults is 20 mg to 40 mg daily. In most cases, you'll start out by taking 10 mg once daily. Your prescriber may increase your dose from there, depending on how well your blood pressure is controlled. Doses over 80 mg per day aren't recommended.

Your prescriber may suggest checking your blood pressure at home at different times of day to see how fosinopril is working. Sharing these results with your healthcare team helps them determine if you need a dose adjustment.

In some cases, your blood pressure may go up in the hours before your next dose of fosinopril. In this case, your prescriber may have you divide your daily dosage into two smaller doses per day to help control your blood pressure around the clock.

If fosinopril isn't controlling your blood pressure well on its own, your prescriber may add HCTZ. You may take the two medications separately. Or they may switch you to fosinopril / HCTZ as a combination pill. Taking a combination pill can cut down the number of pills you take in a day and can sometimes help you save money, as well.

The typical dosage of fosinopril / HCTZ is 10 mg/12.5 mg or 20 mg/12.5 mg taken once daily. Your prescriber may adjust your dose based on how your blood pressure responds. It's a good idea to take fosinopril / HCTZ in the morning, since the diuretic component can make you pee more often. Taking it late in the day could cause overnight bathroom trips that disrupt your sleep.

Heart failure

For managing heart failure, the typical fosinopril dosage for adults is 20 mg to 40 mg daily. In most cases, you'll take fosinopril along with other medications to manage heart failure symptoms.

The usual starting dosage for most people with heart failure is 10 mg daily. You may need to take your first dose in a medical office to make sure your blood pressure doesn't drop too low. Your prescriber will raise your dose slowly from there over several weeks until they find the right amount for you. Doses over 40 mg aren't recommended.

What's the typical fosinopril dosage for children?

Fosinopril is approved to treat high blood pressure in children ages 6 and older who weigh more than 50 kg (about 23 lbs). The recommended dosage is 5 mg to 10 mg once daily. For a 5 mg dose, you'll need to split the 10 mg tablet in half.

Fosinopril isn't approved for children weighing less than 50 kg. But it's sometimes prescribed for them off-label. Expert guidelines recommend a weight-based dosage, with a daily amount of 0.1 mg per kg of body weight, up to a maximum of 5 mg.

Good to know: Fosinopril doesn't come in a liquid form. If your child has trouble swallowing tablets, an ACE inhibitor that comes in a liquid form, such as enalapril (Epaned) or lisinopril (Qbrelis), may be a better option.

Dose adjustments for certain health conditions

Fosinopril is cleared from the body by your kidneys. Kidney problems can raise fosinopril levels, which can increase your risk of side effects.

If you're taking fosinopril for heart failure and you also have kidney problems, you'll likely start with a lower fosinopril dosage of 5 mg daily. This is to help prevent it from making your blood pressure drop too low when you start treatment.

What happens if you miss a dose of fosinopril?

If you miss a dose of fosinopril or fosinopril / HCTZ, take it as soon as you remember. But if it's nearly time for your next dose, just skip the one you missed and take your next dose at the usual time. You shouldn't take two doses at once to make up for the missed one.

To help you remember to take your medication, try setting an alarm on your phone or using a medication reminder app. It can also be helpful to sign up for automatic refills at your pharmacy to avoid running out of your medication.

What should you do if you take too much fosinopril?

If you accidentally take an extra dose of fosinopril or fosinopril / HCTZ, it probably isn't a serious concern. You may have more side effects, such as dizziness. But these should go away as the extra dose wears off.

However, taking large amounts of fosinopril can make your blood pressure fall dangerously low. And too much fosinopril / HCTZ can cause low blood pressure, along with dehydration and electrolyte issues. If you think you or someone else has taken too much fosinopril, contact a healthcare professional or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If symptoms seem severe or life-threatening, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

How to save on fosinopril

Fosinopril and fosinopril / HCTZ are both available as lower-cost generics. GoodRx can help you save over 65% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic fosinopril's price at certain pharmacies is as low as $10.43for a 30-day supply with a free GoodRx discount. The price of a month's supply of generic fosinopril / HCTZ at certain pharmacies is as low as $11.34with a free GoodRx discount.