Drug Name

Altace (Ramipril)

Drug Uses

Altace is used for the treatment of heart failure (congestive heart failure or CHF) and high blood pressure (hypertension). Treatment also prevents heart attacks, strokes and 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 and Mechanism

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

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

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular 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 if you have 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 medical tests including liver function, kidney function, blood pressure, blood counts, and blood electrolytes may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects.

Before you have any medical 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. If 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. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period.

Drink plenty of fluids during exercise or other activities where excessive sweating may occur. If you experience difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or if 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. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people with colds or other infections.

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

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

For women: use of this medicine during pregnancy has resulted in fetal and newborn death. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately.

Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

If you have diabetes, this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Possible Side Effects

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

A dry, persistent cough has been reported with the use of Altace and 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 and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.

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

More Information

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

If you will be taking this medicine for an extended period of time, be sure to obtain necessary refills before your supply runs out.