drug information altace
Ramipril (RA mi prill)
What is the most important information I should know about Altace?
• Do not take Altace if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy drug information altace. Whenused during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, Altace can cause injuryand even death to the developing fetus drug information altace. Notify your doctor immediately if youthink you might be pregnant drug information altace.
• Altace may increase the risk of dangerous allergic reactions drug information altace. Beforetaking Altace, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction thatinvolved swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat or difficulty breathing drug information altace. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop any of these symptoms whiletaking Altace drug information altace.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities drug information altace. Altace may cause dizziness or drowsiness drug information altace. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities and notify your doctor drug information altace. Also use cautionwhen rising from a sitting or lying position drug information altace.
• Heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or other causes of fluid loss maylead to very low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting during therapy withAltace drug information altace. Maintain proper fluid intake to prevent dehydration and related adverseeffects drug information altace.
What is Altace?
• Altace is in a class of drugs called angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors(ACE inhibitors) drug information altace.
• Altace is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), to preventheart failure following a heart attack, and to reduce the risk of heart attack,stroke, and death in patients who are at an increased risk for these problems drug information altace.
• Altace may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide drug information altace.
Who should not take Altace?
• Altace may increase the risk of dangerous allergic reactions drug information altace. Beforetaking Altace, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction thatinvolved swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat or difficulty breathing drug information altace. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop any of these symptoms whiletaking Altace drug information altace.
• Before taking Altace, tell your doctor if you
· have kidney disease;
· have liver disease;
· are on a salt-restricted diet or have high levels of potassium in yourblood; or
· are taking salt substitutes, potassium supplements (e.g., K-Dur, Klor-Con),or potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride (Midamor), triamterene (Dyrenium,Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone) drug information altace.
• You may not be able to take Altace, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove drug information altace.
• Altace is in the FDA pregnancy category D drug information altace. This means that Altace isknown to harm an unborn baby drug information altace. When used during the second and third trimestersof pregnancy, Altace can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus.Donot take Altace if you are pregnant drug information altace.
• Altace passes into breast milk and its effects on a nursing baby arenot known drug information altace. Do not take Altace without first talking to your doctor if you arebreast-feeding a baby drug information altace.
How should I take Altace?
• Take Altace exactly as directed by your doctor drug information altace. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you drug information altace.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water drug information altace.
• Altace can be taken with or without food drug information altace.
• Do not stop taking Altace without first talking to your doctor drug information altace. If youstop taking this medication, your condition could become worse drug information altace.
• Store Altace at room temperature away from moisture and heat drug information altace.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember drug information altace. However, if it is almosttime for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularlyscheduled dose drug information altace. Do not take a double dose of this medication drug information altace.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention drug information altace.
• Symptoms of a Altace overdose include extreme dizziness, weakness, fainting,and fatigue drug information altace.
What should I avoid while taking Altace?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities drug information altace. Altace may cause dizziness or drowsiness drug information altace. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities and notify your doctor drug information altace. Also use cautionwhen rising from a sitting or lying position drug information altace.
• Use alcohol cautiously drug information altace. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure andincrease drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Altace drug information altace.
• Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking Altaceexcept under the supervision of your doctor drug information altace.
• Heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or other causes of fluid loss maylead to very low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting during therapy withAltace drug information altace. Maintain proper fluid intake to prevent dehydration and related sideeffects drug information altace.
What are the possible side effects of Altace?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingAltace and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· difficulty breathing;
· little or no urine;
· irregular heartbeats or changes in your heartbeat;
· chest pain;
· severe dizziness or fainting; or
· signs of an infection including a sore throat or a fever drug information altace.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur drug information altace. Continueto take Altace and talk to your doctor if you experience
· mild dizziness or lightheadedness;
· headache;
· unusual fatigue or weakness;
· dry, tickling cough;
· nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
· anxiety or depression;
· numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, arms, or legs; or
· a rash drug information altace.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur drug information altace. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome drug information altace.
What other drugs will affect Altace?
• Before taking Altace, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the followingdrugs:
· a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others;
· salt substitutes that contain potassium;
· any of the diuretics (water pills) triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide,Dyazide), spironolactone (Aldactone), or amiloride (Midamor);
· any other diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ,HydroDiuril, others), furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), indapamide (Lozol),and others; or
· lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others) drug information altace.
• You may not be able to take Altace, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicineslisted above drug information altace.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Altace or affectyour condition drug information altace. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescriptionor over-the-counter medicines drug information altace.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Altace written for healthprofessionals that you may read drug information altace.
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