Description
Perindopril is an ACE inhibitor. It blocks an enzyme the body uses to make a hormone that narrows blood vessels, so the vessels relax and blood pressure falls, and the heart has less work to do. It is licensed for high blood pressure and for heart conditions including symptomatic heart failure and stable coronary artery disease.
The tablet is taken once daily in the morning, before food, at about the same time each day. A dry, tickly cough is the best known side effect of this class; it does not settle while the medicine is continued, so tell your prescriber if it troubles you. Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat is rare but needs urgent medical attention.
Your prescriber will check your kidney function and blood salts with a blood test, and will ask about potassium supplements and salt substitutes. This medicine must not be taken in pregnancy.
- ACE inhibitor for high blood pressure and heart conditions
- Available in 2mg, 4mg and 8mg tablets, taken once daily in the morning
- Take before food, at about the same time each day
- A persistent dry cough is a recognised effect of this class
- Blood tests check kidney function and blood salts
- Not for use in pregnancy; tell your prescriber if you may be pregnant
