Perindopril

Pronunciation: per-IN-doe-prill
Generic Name: Perindopril
Brand Name: Aceon

This drug may cause injury or death to the fetus if used during pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away.

Perindopril is used for:

Treating high blood pressure. It may be used alone or along with other medicines. It is also used to reduce the risk of heart attack or death caused by heart problems in patients with stable coronary artery disease. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Perindopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It works by relaxing blood vessels. This helps to lower blood pressure.

Do NOT use Perindopril if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Perindopril


• you are pregnant


• you have a history of angioedema (swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness), including angioedema caused by treatment with an ACE inhibitor (eg, lisinopril)


• you have severe kidney problems

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Perindopril:

Some medical conditions may interact with Perindopril. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you are able to become pregnant


• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure), blood vessel problems (eg, brain or heart blood vessels), bone marrow problems, liver problems, or kidney problems (eg, renal artery stenosis)


• if you have a history of a stroke or kidney transplant


• if you have an autoimmune disease (eg, lupus, scleroderma)


• if you are dehydrated or have low blood volume


• if you have high blood potassium levels, low blood sodium levels, or are on a low-salt (sodium) diet


• if you have diabetes, especially if you are also taking aliskiren


• if you are on dialysis or are scheduled to have surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Perindopril. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), aliskiren, cyclosporine, potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone, triamterene), potassium supplements, or trimethoprim because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased


• Angiotensin receptor blockers (eg, valsartan) because the risk of serious kidney problems and high blood potassium levels may be increased


• Gold-containing medicines (eg, auranofin) because flushing, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure may occur


• Dextran sulfate, diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), or mTOR inhibitors (eg, everolimus) because they may increase the risk of Perindopril's side effects


• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin) or salicylates (eg, aspirin) because they may decrease Perindopril's effectiveness


• Lithium or sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Perindopril

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Perindopril may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Perindopril:

Use Perindopril as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Perindopril by mouth with or without food.


• Take Perindopril on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.


• Taking Perindopril at the same time(s) each day will help you to remember to take it.


• Continue taking Perindopril even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Perindopril, 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.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Perindopril.

Important safety information:

• Perindopril may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Perindopril with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Perindopril may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects. Avoid sudden changes in posture.


• Drink plenty of fluids while taking Perindopril and avoid engaging in activities that cause excessive sweating. Dehydration, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur.


• A persistent, unproductive cough may occur. Tell your doctor if this occurs. If caused by Perindopril, this type of cough generally recovers after Perindopril is stopped.


• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.


• Perindopril may cause a serious side effect called angioedema. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness.


• Perindopril may not work as well in black patients. They may also be at greater risk of side effects. Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Perindopril before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Rarely, Perindopril may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. This risk may be greater if you have certain other health problems (eg, kidney problems, collagen vascular disease). Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.


• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.


• If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.


• Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, blood pressure, and blood electrolyte levels, may be performed while you use Perindopril. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Perindopril with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness and rash.


• Perindopril should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Perindopril may cause birth defects/fetal and newborn death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Perindopril is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Perindopril, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Perindopril:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Arm or leg pain; back pain; cough; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; runny nose; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; hoarseness); chest pain; confusion; decreased, difficult, or painful urination; depression; difficulty swallowing; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; prolonged or severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; stomach pain (with or without nausea or vomiting); sudden, severe headache; swelling of the hands, legs, or trunk; symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine, loss of appetite, pale stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes); symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, fainting, severe dizziness, lightheadedness); unusual tiredness or weakness; vision or speech problems.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Perindopril side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; severe dizziness or lightheadedness; weakness.

Proper storage of Perindopril:

Store Perindopril at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, light, and moisture. Keep Perindopril out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Perindopril, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Perindopril is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Perindopril. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Perindopril resources

• Perindopril Side Effects (in more detail)
• Perindopril Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Perindopril Drug Interactions
• Perindopril Support Group
• 1 Review for Perindopril - Add your own review/rating

• Perindopril Prescribing Information (FDA)


• perindopril Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Aceon Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Aceon Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Aceon Consumer Overview

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