the drug 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 the drug altace. Whenused during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, Altace can cause injuryand even death to the developing fetus the drug altace. Notify your doctor immediately if youthink you might be pregnant the drug altace.
• Altace may increase the risk of dangerous allergic reactions the drug 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 the drug altace. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop any of these symptoms whiletaking Altace the drug altace.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities the drug altace. Altace may cause dizziness or drowsiness the drug altace. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities and notify your doctor the drug altace. Also use cautionwhen rising from a sitting or lying position the drug altace.
• Heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or other causes of fluid loss maylead to very low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting during therapy withAltace the drug altace. Maintain proper fluid intake to prevent dehydration and related adverseeffects the drug altace.
What is Altace?
• Altace is in a class of drugs called angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors(ACE inhibitors) the drug 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 the drug altace.
• Altace may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide the drug altace.
Who should not take Altace?
• Altace may increase the risk of dangerous allergic reactions the drug 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 the drug altace. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop any of these symptoms whiletaking Altace the drug 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) the drug 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 the drug altace.
• Altace is in the FDA pregnancy category D the drug altace. This means that Altace isknown to harm an unborn baby the drug 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 the drug altace.
• Altace passes into breast milk and its effects on a nursing baby arenot known the drug altace. Do not take Altace without first talking to your doctor if you arebreast-feeding a baby the drug altace.
How should I take Altace?
• Take Altace exactly as directed by your doctor the drug altace. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you the drug altace.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water the drug altace.
• Altace can be taken with or without food the drug altace.
• Do not stop taking Altace without first talking to your doctor the drug altace. If youstop taking this medication, your condition could become worse the drug altace.
• Store Altace at room temperature away from moisture and heat the drug altace.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember the drug altace. However, if it is almosttime for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularlyscheduled dose the drug altace. Do not take a double dose of this medication the drug altace.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention the drug altace.
• Symptoms of a Altace overdose include extreme dizziness, weakness, fainting,and fatigue the drug altace.
What should I avoid while taking Altace?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities the drug altace. Altace may cause dizziness or drowsiness the drug altace. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities and notify your doctor the drug altace. Also use cautionwhen rising from a sitting or lying position the drug altace.
• Use alcohol cautiously the drug altace. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure andincrease drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Altace the drug altace.
• Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking Altaceexcept under the supervision of your doctor the drug altace.
• Heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or other causes of fluid loss maylead to very low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting during therapy withAltace the drug altace. Maintain proper fluid intake to prevent dehydration and related sideeffects the drug 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 the drug altace.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur the drug 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 the drug altace.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur the drug altace. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome the drug 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) the drug 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 the drug altace.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Altace or affectyour condition the drug altace. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescriptionor over-the-counter medicines the drug altace.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Altace written for healthprofessionals that you may read the drug altace.
|
