Drug Notes

Perindopril (By mouth)

Perindopril (per-IN-doe-pril)

Treats high blood pressure and coronary artery disease (CAD). This medicine is an ACE inhibitor.

Brand Name(s):

Aceon

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Drink plenty of fluids if you exercise, sweat more than usual, or have diarrhea or vomiting.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine together with aliskiren if you have diabetes or kidney disease.
• Some foods and medicines can affect how perindopril works. Tell your doctor if you are using the following:
  • Cyclosporine
  • Heparin
  • Lithium
  • A diuretic (water pill, such as amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene)
  • An NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen)
• Ask your doctor before you use any medicine, supplement, or salt substitute that contains potassium.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney problems, liver disease, heart or blood vessel disease, low blood pressure, diabetes, or an autoimmune disorder (such as lupus, scleroderma, or other collagen vascular disease).
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Serious allergic reactions, including intestinal swelling
  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems
  • High potassium levels
• This medicine could lower your blood pressure too much, especially when you first use it or if you are dehydrated. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel lightheaded or dizzy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Do not stop using this medicine without asking your doctor, even if you feel well. This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it will help keep it in normal range. You may have to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, problems urinating
• Confusion, weakness, uneven heartbeat, trouble breathing, numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow eyes or skin
• Fever, chills, sore throat, and body aches
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Severe stomach pain (with or without nausea or vomiting)
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dry cough

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017