Drug Name

Altace (Ramipril)

Drug Uses

Altace is used for the treatment of heart failure (congestive heart failure or CHF) as well as high blood pressure (hypertension). Treatment as well as prevents heart attacks, strokes as well as deaths due to heart disease. Altace slows the progression of kidney failure in patients with diabetes.

How Taken

The usual dose of ramipril is 2.5-20 mg a day as a single dose or two divided doses.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Altace belongs in a class of drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors which are used for treating high blood pressure as well as heart failure as well as for preventing kidney failure due to high blood pressure as well as diabetes.

ACE inhibitors such as Altace lower blood pressure by reducing the production of angiotensin II, thereby, relaxing the arterial muscles as well as enlarging the arteries.

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as likely. Incase it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose as well as go back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store capsules at room temperature between 15-30C (59-86F).

Warnings/Precautions

Do not take this medicine incase you possess had an allergic reaction to it, to other ACE inhibitors, or are allergic to any ingredient in this product.

Do not exceed the recommended dose without checking with your doctor. It may take several weeks for this medicine to work.

Laboratory and/or health examination tests including liver function, kidney function, blood pressure, blood counts, as well as blood electrolytes may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects.

Before you possess any health examination or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine.

Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. Incase dizziness occurs, sit up or stand slowly.

This medicine may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to this medicine. Take a sunscreen or protective clothing incase you must be outside for a prolonged period.

Drink plenty of fluids during exercise or other activities where excessive sweating may occur. Incase you experience difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or incase you develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately.

Do not take any more of this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. This medicine may lower your resistance to infection. Halt infection by avoiding contact with people with colds or other infections.

Do not take a salt substitute or other potassium supplement without checking with your doctor.

Before you begin using any recent medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

For women: take of this medicine during pregnancy has resulted in fetal as well as newborn death. Incase you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately.

Do not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Incase you possess diabetes, this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely as well as ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Likely Side Effects

Altace generally is well tolerated, as well as side effects are usually mild as well as transient.

A moistureless, persistent cough has been reported with the take of Altace as well as other ACE inhibitors. Coughing resolves after discontinuing the drug.

Other side effects include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, rash, dizziness, fatigue, headache, loss of taste, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fainting as well as numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.

Altace as well as other ACE inhibitors as well as may cause kidney failure as well as increased levels of potassium in the blood. The most humorless but, fortunately, very rare side effects are liver failure as well as angioedema (swelling of lips as well as throat that can obstruct breathing).

More Information

Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not take this medicine for other health conditions.

Incase you will be using this medicine for an extended period of time, be sure to obtain essential refills before your supply runs out.