Altace product description

Drug uses

Altace is an inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme, used for the treatment of essential hypertension, heart failure in post-myocardial infarction and for reducing the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and death of cardiovascular causes (in patients aged 55 years and older).

Altace exerts an antihypertensive effect without increasing the heart rate, reduces the incidence of arrhythmias and improves blood flow into the stunned myocardium. Antihypertensive drug Altace can be prescribed to adults and adolescents of 18 years and older.

Geriatric patients older than 65 years should have a renal function evaluated before they are prescribed with Altace capsules. Altace can be used as monotherapy for cardiovascular diseases, and in combination with thiazide diuretics. The optimal Altace dose is adjusted according to blood pressure response.

Doctors recommend starting the antihypertensive monotherapy (without the use of diuretics) with one Altace capsule of 2,5 mg, once a day. The usual Altace maintenance dose ranges from 2.5 mg to 20 mg per day.

Missed dose

Note that a missed dose can have a clinically meaningful effect on the efficacy of the antihypertensive therapy. Therefore, Altace capsules should be taken in a regular and timely manner. If a patient forgets to take a dose of Altace, he should take it as soon as he remembers. It is recommended to skip the missed dose, if there is little time left before the next dose.

More information

If it is impossible to control blood pressure only with Altace during the antihypertensive therapy, the patient should take the antihypertensive drug with a diuretic.

Low-salt diet or the use of high diuretics doses can help reduce blood pressure. If you have any signs of hypotension, you may require dose adjustment of the diuretic and/or Altace.

Storage

To protect Altace capsules from light and moisture, they should be stored in the original package (well-closed plastic container or aluminum blister) at a temperature below 25°C.

Altace safety information

Warnings

Hyperkalemia is possible, when Altace is used in the patients with impaired renal function, diabetes or in concomitant use of potassium-sparing diuretics. Altace is contraindicated during pregnancy. The antihypertensive therapy should be discontinued, if pregnancy is detected.

Coadministration of Altace with angiotensin receptor blockers may be contraindicated in the patients with a history of diabetic nephropathy. Clinical trials have shown that Altace with immunosuppressants, cytostatics, corticosteroids, allopurinol, and other substances may increase the likelihood of hematological reactions.

Disclaimer

Presented information about Altace capsules can be outdated and contain errors or inaccuracies. The online pharmacy shall not be liable for any damage, which may result from the use of, or inability to use the published materials about the antihypertensive agent Altace.

Altace side effects

Altace is a safe antihypertensive agent that rarely causes serious side effects. Less than 6% of patients, using Altace for the hypertension treatment, may have headaches. Altace may cause vertigo, feeling of tiredness, or non-productive tickling cough in approximately 2% of patients.

Less common side effects are chest pain, dyspnea, edema, rash, arthritis, somnolence, hypotension, syncope, bronchitis, sinusitis, abdominal discomfort or digestive disturbances (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting). Clinical studies have shown that side effects, requiring antihypertensive therapy cessation, manifest in approximately 1% of patients, taking Altace.