Perindopril

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.

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

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cough</li>
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headache</li>
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weakness</li>
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dizziness</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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stomach pain</li>
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upset stomach</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

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<li>
swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li>
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hoarseness</li>
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difficulty swallowing or breathing</li>
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lightheadedness</li>
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fainting</li>
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fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection</li>
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irregular or rapid heartbeats</li></ul>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 <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

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 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. 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.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.