PERINDOPRIL

Perindopril is comes under the group of long-acting ACE inhibitor. It is used to treat high BP, heart failure or stable coronary artery disease in form of perindopril arginine  or perindopril erbumine. According to the Australian government's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme website, based on data provided to the Australian Department of Health and Aging by the manufacturer, perindopril arginine and perindopril erbumine are therapeutically equivalent and may be interchanged without differences in clinical effect. However the dose prescribed to achieve the same effect will differ due to different molecular weights for the two forms.

Perindopril is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Perindopril is in a class of medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It makes blood flow more smoothly by preventing the production of certain natural chemicals that tighten the blood vessels.

Perindopril comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take perindopril exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of perindopril and gradually increase your dose.

Perindopril controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Continue to take perindopril even if you feel well. Do not stop taking perindopril without talking to your doctor.

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS

Before taking perindopril,

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to perindopril, benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), trandolapril (Mavik), or any other medications.

tell your doctor if you have diabetes (high blood sugar) and you are taking aliskiren (Tekturna, in Amturnide, Tekamlo, Tekturna HCT). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take perindopril if you have diabetes and you are also taking aliskiren.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), diuretics ('water pills'), heparin, indomethacin (Indocin), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), and potassium supplements (K-Dur, Klor-Con, others). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

tell your doctor if you are on dialysis and if have or have ever had heart failure; lupus (SLE); scleroderma; diabetes; swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, and/or lower legs (angioedema); or kidney or liver disease.

tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.

you should know that diarrhea, vomiting, not drinking enough fluids, and sweating a lot can cause a drop in blood pressure, which may cause lightheadedness and fainting.

DIET

Talk to your doctor before using salt substitutes containing potassium. If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these directions carefully.

IF YOU FORGOT YOUR DOSE...

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

SIDE EFFECTS

Perindopril may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

Cough,  headache,  weakness,  dizziness,  diarrhea,  stomach pain,  upset stomach

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

hoarseness,  difficulty swallowing or breathing,  lightheadedness,  fainting

fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection

irregular or rapid heartbeats

Perindopril may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].