Drug Information
Moexipril is used to treat high blood pressure, and is in a family of drugs known as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
Common brand names:
UnivascSummary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods
Types of interactions:BeneficialAdverseCheck
Replenish Depleted Nutrients
- Zinc
In a study of 34 people with hypertension, six months of captopril or enalapril treatment led to decreased zinc levels in certain white blood cells.
It makes sense for people taking enalapril long term to consider, as a precaution, taking a zinc supplement or a multimineral tablet containing zinc. (Such multiminerals usually contain no more than 99 mg of potassium, probably not enough to trigger the above-mentioned interaction.) Supplements containing zinc should also contain copper, to protect against a zinc-induced copper deficiency.
The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Reduce Side Effects
- Iron
In a double-blind study of patients who had developed a cough attributed to an ACE inhibitor, supplementation with iron (in the form of 256 mg of ferrous sulfate per day) for four weeks reduced the severity of the cough by a statistically significant 45%, compared with a nonsignificant 8% improvement in the placebo group.
Support Medicine
Taking moexipril while on a low-salt diet might cause excessively low blood pressure. Therefore, people taking moexipril should notify their healthcare practitioner before starting a low-salt diet.
Reduces Effectiveness
Taking moexipril with food dramatically reduces the absorption of the drug, especially when taken with a high-fat meal. Therefore, moexipril should be taken an hour before or two hours after a meal.
Potential Negative Interaction
- Potassium
An uncommon yet potentially serious side effect of taking ACE inhibitors is increased blood potassium levels. This problem is more likely to occur in people with advanced kidney disease. Taking potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes (No Salt, Morton Salt Substitute, and others), or large amounts of high-potassium foods (such as bananas and other fruit) at the same time as taking ACE inhibitors could cause life-threatening problems. Therefore, people should consult their healthcare practitioner before supplementing additional potassium and should have their blood levels of potassium checked periodically while taking ACE inhibitors.
An uncommon yet potentially serious side effect of taking ACE inhibitors is increased blood potassium levels. This problem is more likely to occur in people with advanced kidney disease. Taking potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes (No Salt, Morton Salt Substitute, and others), or large amounts of high-potassium foods (such as bananas and other fruit) at the same time as taking ACE inhibitors could cause life-threatening problems. Therefore, people should consult their healthcare practitioner before supplementing additional potassium and should have their blood levels of potassium checked periodically while taking ACE inhibitors.
The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction. Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. For details, refer to the manufacturers’ package information as these are not covered in this table. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.
