Altace

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Prescription Drug Information, Side Effects & Interactions for Altace

Uses
This medication belongs to a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE inhibitors prevent certain enzymes in the body from narrowing the blood vessels. This helps to lower blood pressure and makes the heart beat stronger. This medication is used to treat high blood pressure or heart failure.

Notes

It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication.
Learn how to monitor your blood pressure.
Discuss this with your doctor.

Storage

Store the capsule at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom.
The medication mixture of food or liquid can be kept at room temperature for 24 hours or refrigerated for 48 hours.

Altace Brand names: Altace

How To Use

This medication may be taken without regard to meals.
Take it exactly as prescribed and try to take it at the same time each day.
Swallow capsules whole, or the contents of the capsule may be sprinkled on a small amount of soft food such as applesauce or mixed in apple juice or water.
Swallow or drink the entire mixture.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Some conditions may become worse when the drug is abruptly stopped.
Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well.
Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.

Side Effects

Dizziness, headache, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, fatigue or dry cough may occur the first several days as your body adjusts to the medication.
Inform your doctor if you develop chest pain, tingling of the hands or feet or yellowing of eyes or skin.
In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness or trouble breathing.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before taking this drug tell your doctor your medical history, especially a history of angioedema, high blood levels of potassium, kidney disease or kidney dialysis, salt restrictive diet or liver disease.
Consult your doctor before using salt substitutes or low salt milk.
To avoid dizziness and lightheadedness when rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly.
Limit your intake of alcohol and use caution when exercising or during hot weather as these can aggravate dizziness and lightheadedness.
This medication should be used only when clearly needed during the first three months of pregnancy.
It is not recommended for use during the last six months of the pregnancy.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Single-dose tests have not shown this drug to be excreted into breast milk.
It is unknown if more doses would produce different test results.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Caution is advised when this medication is used in the elderly.
Caution is advised when this medication is used in children.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Drug Interactions

Inform your doctor about all the medicine you use (both prescription and nonprescription) especially if you take lithium, potassium supplements, potassium sparing water pills or anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID or Motrin-like drugs) because you may need to be monitored more closely.
Avoid "stimulant" drugs that may increase your heart rate such as decongestants or caffeine.
Decongestants are commonly found in over-the-counter cough-and-cold medicine.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.