Perindopril - an ACE inhibitor

About perindopril

Perindopril belongs to a class of medicines called inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina, o inhibidores de ECA. It is prescribed for a number of different reasons. You may have been prescribed it to reduce presión arterial alta (hipertensión), or to treat insuficiencia cardíaca, or to protect your heart and blood vessels from damage following a heart attack or following certain procedures. Your doctor will tell you why it has been prescribed for you.

ACE inhibitors like perindopril prevent your body from creating a hormone known as angiotensin II. They do this by blocking (inhibiting) a chemical called angiotensin-converting enzyme. This widens your blood vessels and helps to reduce the amount of water put back into your blood by your kidneys.

These actions help to decrease blood pressure in people who have blood pressure which is higher than normal. Although people with high blood pressure often do not feel unwell, if left untreated, high blood pressure can harm the heart and damage blood vessels, leading to a heart attack or stroke.

Heart failure is a condition where your heart does not work as well as it should. Because of this, there may be too much circulating fluid in your blood vessels. Perindopril helps to reduce this. It also appears to have a protective effect on the heart.

You may be prescribed perindopril on its own, or alongside other medicines to help your condition. The brand of perindopril called Coversyl® Arginine Plus contains a medicine called indapamide. This brand is prescribed for people with high blood pressure. Combination brands like this help to reduce the total number of tablets you need to take each day.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking perindopril it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si estás embarazada, intentando tener un bebé o amamantando.

• If you have problems with the way your kidneys work, or any problems with the way your liver works.

• Si te falta líquido en el cuerpo (deshidratado) - por ejemplo, si has tenido diarrea o vómitos recientemente.

• Si le han dicho que tiene una acumulación de depósitos grasos en las paredes de sus arterias, una condición llamada aterosclerosis.

• Si tienes un tipo particular de mala circulación llamado enfermedad arterial periférica.

• Si tienes una enfermedad vascular del colágeno, esto incluye condiciones como el lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) y la esclerodermia.

• Si le han dicho que tiene una enfermedad del músculo cardíaco (miocardiopatía) o un estrechamiento del vaso sanguíneo principal de su corazón (estenosis aórtica).

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción en la que su cara, lengua o garganta se hinchan (angioedema).

• Si estás recibiendo tratamiento de desensibilización para protegerte contra las picaduras de abejas y avispas.

• Si estás recibiendo tratamiento de diálisis, o tratamiento para eliminar el colesterol de tu sangre mediante una máquina (aféresis de LDL).

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que esté disponible para comprar sin receta, así como medicamentos herbales y complementarios.

• If you have ever had an allergic or unusual reaction to any other ACE inhibitor (such as lisinopril, ramipril or enalapril), or to any other medicine.

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about perindopril and will provide you with a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take perindopril exactly as your doctor tells you to. You will be asked to take one dose each day.

• Your doctor will advise you to take your very first dose at bedtime. This is because the first dose can make you feel dizzy.

• After the first dose, take perindopril in the morning. Swallow the tablet with a drink of water. The ideal time to take your dose is 30-60 minutes before breakfast. This is because more of the dose is absorbed if you take the tablet when your stomach is empty.

• If you forget to take a dose at your usual time, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the forgotten dose. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your progress can be monitored. Your doctor may want you to have some blood tests from time to time to check that your kidneys are working well.

• Each time you collect a prescription, check to make sure the tablets look the same as you have had before. This is because there are two types of perindopril tablet and several strengths of each type of tablet. If you are unsure about the tablets, or if you have any questions about your prescription, please ask your pharmacist for advice.

• Es muy importante que sigas cualquier consejo dietético y de estilo de vida que te dé tu médico. Esto puede incluir consejos sobre llevar una dieta saludable, no fumar y hacer ejercicio regularmente.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with perindopril. This is because some medicines (such as anti-inflammatory painkillers and indigestion remedies) may interfere with your treatment.

• It is likely that your doctor will advise that you do not use salt substitutes while you are taking perindopril. These products have a high content of potassium which could be harmful for you.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice about drinking alcohol while you are on perindopril. Alcoholic drinks may make you feel light-headed or dizzy, and may not be advisable for you.

• If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking perindopril tablets. This is because some anaesthetics may cause your blood pressure to drop too low.

• Treatment with perindopril is usually long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. Continue to take the tablets unless you are advised otherwise.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with perindopril. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que crea que puede deberse a las tabletas, hable con su médico o farmacéutico para obtener más consejos.

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.