Altace belongs to the class of medications called ACE inhibitors. It is used to treat high blood pressure. Ramipril may also be used to reduce the risk of problems associated with heart disease (e.g., heart attack, stroke, or death) for people over 55 years old who are at a high risk of having these problems. It is also used after heart attacks to improve survival and reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure. It works by relaxing blood vessels and by making the heart pump more efficiently.
Directions
Take Altace exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The recommended adult dose ranges from 2.5 mg to 20 mg daily in 1 or 2 divided doses. To treat high blood pressure, the usual starting dose is 2.5 mg once daily. For people using diuretics, your doctor may start with a lower dose of 1.25 mg daily. For people at increased risk of heart disease events, the recommended starting dose is 2.5 mg once daily, increasing gradually to 10 mg daily. For treatment following a heart attack the recommended starting dose is 2.5 mg twice daily, increased every 1 to 3 days.
Precautions
Before taking Altace you should talk with your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Marfan syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, blood disorders. This medication may reduce alertness, especially at the beginning of treatment. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness.
Contraindications
Do not take Altace if you are allergic to ramipril or to any of the ingredients of the medication, breastfeeding, pregnant, if you have angioedema, low blood pressure, renal artery stenosis.
Possible side effect
Get emergency medical help if you have nausea, cough, dizziness, diarrhea, vomiting, sexual difficulties, weakness, headache, drowsiness, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, sore throat, low blood pressure, skin rash, numbness, problems with coordination or balance, swelling, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, hives. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.
Drug interactions
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (indomethacin, naproxen), insulin, blood pressure-lowering medications, diuretics (furosemide, spironolactone), oral diabetes medications (glyburide, gliclazide), lithium, potassium chloride. Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.
Missed dose
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose
If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are fainting, feeling extremely dizzy, light-headed.
Storage
Store the medicine at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Note
The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.
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