Common uses

Altace is used in the treatment of high blood pressure. It is effective when used alone or in combination with other high blood pressure medications, especially thiazide-type water pills (diuretics). Altace works by preventing the conversion of a chemical in your blood called angiotensin I into a more potent substance that increases salt and water retention in your body. It also enhances blood flow in your circulatory system. It is a member of the group of drugs called ACE inhibitors.
Before using

You should talk to your healthcare provider prior to taking Altace if you have:

Heart disease, including congestive heart failure, aortic stenosis, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Liver disease, including cirrhosis
Kidney disease or kidney failure
Diabetes
Scleroderma
Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus or SLE)
A personal or family history of angioedema, which is swelling under the skin
Any allergies, including allergies to ACE inhibitors, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant (see Altace and Pregnancy)
Are breastfeeding
Are on dialysis
Will be undergoing surgery or anesthesia.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you are currently taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Do not take any salt substitutes containing potassium without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

Directions

Some general considerations for when and how to take Altace include:

• Altace comes in capsule form. It is generally taken once or twice a day, depending on your healthcare provider's instructions.
• It does not matter if you take Altace with or without food.
• Altace should be taken at the same time each day, to maintain an even level of Altace in your blood.
• For Altace to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Altace will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose of Altace your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
• The medical condition being treated
• Other medical conditions you may have
• Other medications you may be currently taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

Cautions

You should not take Altace if:

You are allergic to Altace, ramipril, or any inactive component used to make Altace. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist has a list of inactive ingredients.
You have a history of angioedema related to previous treatment with ACE inhibitors.
You have hereditary or idiopathic angioedema.

Possible side effects

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with Altace. Not everyone who takes Altace will experience Altace side effects. When people do develop Altace side effects, however, in most cases they are minor and require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common Altace side effects include, but are not limited to:

• Cough
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Body weakness.

If you take too much

People who take too much Altace may have overdose symptoms that could include an extremely low blood pressure.
If you happen to overdose on Altace, seek medical attention immediately.

Drug interactions

If Altace is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Altace with the following:
Alcohol
Diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide (found in many blood pressure medicines)
Diuretics that don't wash out potassium, such as spironolactone (Aldactone) and the diuretic component in Dyazide, Maxzide, Moduretic, and others
Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin, Naprosyn, and Orudis
Oral diabetes drugs such as DiaBeta, Glucotrol, Micronase, and Orinase
Potassium supplements such as K-lyte and K-Tab
Potassium-containing salt substitutes