Generic Name : Ramipril
Brand Names : Altace
Altace (Ramipril) is drug belongs to a group of medications called ace inhibitors. It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It works by relaxing blood vessels, causing them to widen. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems. This medication is also used to prevent heart problems (such as heart attacks) and/or strokes in certain high risk patients, and with other drugs (e.g., "water pills"/diuretics, digoxin) to treat congestive heart failure.
Altace (Ramipril) is indicated to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). This medication is also used to prevent heart problems. This medication may also be used to help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes.
The patient should take this medication by mouth, usually once daily with or without food or as directed by the doctor. The patient should use the medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. The capsule should be swallowed as whole. If the patient cannot swallow the capsule, the contents of capsule should be sprinkled on a small amount (4 ounces) of applesauce or mixed with apple juice or water. The patient should not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without talking to the doctor or pharmacist first. This medicine can raise the potassium levels, which rarely can cause serious side effects such as muscle weakness or very slow heartbeats.
The various reported side effects of the medicine are:
Dizziness, light-headedness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry cough or blurred vision, fainting, decreased sexual ability, change in the amount of urine, signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, persistent sore throat), rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
The patient should consult the doctor with the medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, high blood levels of potassium, heart problems, severe dehydration (and loss of electrolytes such as sodium), diabetes (poorly controlled), strokes, blood vessel disease (e.g., collagen vascular diseases such as lupus, scleroderma).
The patient should consult the doctor or pharmacist if allergic to it; or if have any other allergies or to other ace inhibitors (e.g., benazepril, captopril); or if have any other allergies (including an allergic reaction after exposure to certain membranes used for blood filtering).
In case of an overdose the patient should contact the local poison control center or emergency room.