What is perindopril?
Perindopril is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme.
Perindopril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and to prevent heart attack in people with coronary artery disease.
Perindopril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about perindopril?
Do not use perindopril if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of perindopril.
Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking perindopril, unless your doctor has told you to.
Conditions that may cause very low blood pressure include: vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low salt diet, or taking diuretics (water pills). Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking perindopril?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to perindopril or to any other ACE inhibitor, such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).
You should not use perindopril if you have hereditary angioedema.
To make sure you can safely take perindopril, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease;
heart disease or congestive heart failure;
diabetes; or
a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use perindopril if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Perindopril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking perindopril.
It is not known whether perindopril passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.