Perindopril

Description

Perindopril is an anti-hypertensive medicine used in the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure (insufficient pumping of the blood by the heart). It also reduces the risk of heart attack (blocked blood flow to heart muscles) and stroke (brain damage due to interrupted blood supply). It works by relaxing your blood vessels and reduces the stress on your heart muscles. This helps in easier blood flow and allows your heart to pump blood more efficiently. Some common side effects of Perindopril are cough, decreased blood pressure, dizziness, back pain, etc. These side effects are temporary and will go away with time. However, if you have persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, as well as excessive sweating, you should see a doctor. You may take Perindopril with or without food. Take this medicine at the same time every day to avoid any missed dose. Even if you feel better or your blood pressure appears to be under control, you should not stop taking it. Abrupt discontinuation may lead to side effects or a sudden increase in your blood pressure. This medicine is safe for long-term use. Perindopril is only recommended if you are 18 years or above. Inform your doctor if you have any history of kidney, liver and heart disease, or any other condition. Pregnant women should not use this medication since it might harm the unborn foetus, especially if taken during the second and third trimesters.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Perindopril

  • Cough
  • Headache
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhoea
  • Back pain
  • Decrease in blood pressure

Uses of Perindopril

What is it prescribed for?

  • Hypertension
  • Chronic heart failure
  • Prevention of Cardiovascular Events - Stroke and Heart attack
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    Perindopril starts to work in your body in 1-2 hours. However, to see its full effect, you need to take this medicine for at least a month. If you're taking Perindopril for heart failure, it may take a few weeks or months to feel better.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of Perindopril may remain for 24 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Avoid the consumption of alcohol during the treatment with Perindopril. Alcohol may enhance the blood pressure-lowering effect of this medicine which can further lead to dizziness and drowsiness.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendency has been reported for Perindopril.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Perindopril should not be used during pregnancy since it may harm the unborn foetus, especially if taken during the second and third trimesters. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    It is not known if Perindopril passes into the breastmilk. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using this medicine to understand all the risks and benefits.

Allergy

Avoid using Perindopril if you have a known allergy to perindopril or any other ACE inhibitor. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.

Angioedema

Angioedema is an allergic condition in which there is painless swelling under the skin mostly seen around the face and lips. Perindopril is not recommended for use if you have a known history of angioedema or hereditary angioedema (recurrent episodes of severe swelling), as it may worsen your condition.

Aliskiren

Aliskiren is a medicine used to reduce blood pressure. Do not use Perindopril if you are taking aliskiren. Concomitant use of these medicines may lead to serious side effects such as low blood pressure, and high potassium levels in your blood. The risk is higher if you have a kidney problem or diabetes (high blood sugar level).

Sacubitril

Sacubitril is a medicine used in the treatment of chronic heart failure. It is recommended that you should not take Perindopril within 36 hours before or after taking a medicine that contains sacubitril as it may lead to angioedema (swelling of the face, eye, lips, etc.).
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Perindopril should not be used during pregnancy since it may harm the unborn foetus, especially if taken during the second and third trimesters. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.

Breast-feeding

It is not known if Perindopril passes into the breastmilk. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using this medicine to understand all the risks and benefits.
General warnings

Hypotension

Hypotension is a decrease in blood pressure. Perindopril may cause hypotension, especially when used in combination with other high blood pressure medicines, and if you are having low sodium levels in your blood. During therapy with this medication, you should check your blood pressure regularly. Depending on your clinical condition, your doctor may make appropriate dose changes.

Liver disease

Perindopril should be used with caution if you have a history of liver diseases due to the increased risk of liver failure. Get your liver function tests regularly done while you are on this medication. Inform your doctor if you develop any symptoms of jaundice [increased level of bilirubin (blood pigment) in the blood that leads to yellow skin discolouration].

Surgery and anesthesia

Perindopril should be used with caution if you are about to undergo surgery as it may increase the risk of very low blood pressure. Before undergoing any surgery or anaesthesia, you should inform your doctor/surgeon about your current medications. Based on your clinical condition, the doctor will recommend dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative.

Kidney disease

Perindopril should be used with caution if you have a history of kidney diseases. This medicine is excreted via the kidney and may accumulate in your body if there is kidney impairment.

Driving and operating a machine

Perindopril may affect your driving ability as it can lead to dizziness or weakness due to low blood pressure. After taking this medication, avoid performing any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating a machine.

Missed Dose

If you forgot to take the dose of Perindopril at a given time, then take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Never take more than the prescribed dose of Perindopril. If you suspect that you might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the emergency department of your local hospital.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Avoid the consumption of alcohol during the treatment with Perindopril. Alcohol may enhance the blood pressure-lowering effect of this medicine which can further lead to dizziness and drowsiness.
Interaction with Medicine

Allopurinol

Insulin

Diclofenac

Candesartan

Amiloride

Disease interactions

Bone marrow suppression

Bone marrow suppression is a condition in which your bone marrow (a substance found in the bone that produces blood cells) activity is reduced which further leads to a decrease in blood cell count. If you are diagnosed with such a condition, take Perindopril with caution. This medicine causes bone marrow suppression and the risk is high if you have kidney impairment.

Congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently. Take caution if you have a severe CHF. If Perindopril is taken in such conditions it can lead to serious effects on your kidney which may lead to oliguria (low urine output) and kidney failure. Close monitoring of your kidney and heart condition maybe necessary.

Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis is a treatment in which a machine is used to filter the waste from the blood when the kidney fails to do so. If you are undergoing hemodialysis, take Perindopril with caution. This medicine may lead to anaphylactoid reactions (life-threatening allergic reactions) in such conditions.

Hyperkalemia

Perindopril may significantly increase the potassium levels in your blood (hyperkalemia). This may cause serious adverse effects such as irregular heartbeats. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. It is advised to avoid potassium-rich foods (potatoes, bananas) and other medicines that may increase potassium levels (potassium-sparing diuretics and potassium supplements) during treatment with this medicine. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on your clinical condition.
Food interactions
It is recommended to avoid a high potassium diet during treatment with Perindopril due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects. Unless recommended by your doctor, do not take salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking this medicine. Your doctor/dietitian will suggest an appropriate diet for you to avoid a high intake of potassium.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Perindopril exactly as advised by your doctor. You may take this medicine with or without food. Avoid taking it in a higher dosage than the dose advised/prescribed by your doctor as it can lead to complications. You should not stop taking medicine abruptly as it can cause withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, it is important to complete the treatment course. If you experience any side effects that persist for a long time, consult your doctor immediately. Inform your doctor if you have a persistent cough or throat irritation. This medicine may cause dizziness in the first few days, so get up carefully if you've been sitting or lying down. You can also take it before bedtime to avoid dizziness during the day. Perindopril may raise the potassium level in your blood. Therefore, avoid potassium supplements as well as potassium-rich meals like bananas and broccoli.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
Perindopril works by relaxing your blood vessels and reduces the stress on your heart muscles. This helps in easier blood flow and allows your heart to pump blood more efficiently.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors

Schedule

Schedule H

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - PERINDOPRIL ERBUMINE tablet. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 4 August 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=fcaefca9-e6ca-4c97-9eb8-7f1c619ce4d0>

Drugs, H., 2021. Perindopril: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 4 August 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a602017.html>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Perindopril Erbumine 4 mg tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 4 August 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/4390/smpc#gref>

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Information on this page was last updated on 11 Aug 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.