Altace is a drug prescribed for lowering blood pressure. Effectively managing high blood pressure (hypertension) helps in reducing the risks of heart attacks, kidney problems, and strokes. Patients may also take Altace to improve their survival rate following a heart attack, making it a crucial treatment for heart failure in those who have recently experienced a heart event.
It is also administered to high-risk patients, such as those with diabetes or heart disease, to better prevent heart attacks and strokes. Altace is an ACE inhibitor that works by relaxing blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily.
## **Generic Name of Altace**
The generic name of Altace is Ramipril. As an ACE inhibitor, it helps relax blood vessels to enhance blood flow. Ramipril is also beneficial in protecting the kidneys from the damaging effects of diabetes.
## **Altace Dosage**
Altace is available in tablet form with the following strengths:
- 2.5 mg
- 5 mg
- 10 mg
## **How To Administer Altace Medication?**
Take Altace orally, with or without food, as directed by your doctor.
Typically, you start with 2.5 mg once daily for one week, then increase to 5 mg once daily for the following three weeks, and finally, reach a maintenance dose of 10 mg once daily. For patients with hypertension or those who recently had a myocardial infarction, Altace can be administered in divided doses.
Altace begins working within a few hours to lower blood pressure, although it might take a few weeks to feel its full effect. For heart failure treatment, improvement may take weeks or even months.
## **Altace Side Effects**
Some potential side effects of Altace include:
- Headache
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Feeling of spinning (vertigo)
- Malaise
- Nausea
- Abdominal discomfort
## **Altace Drug Alternatives**
Other examples of ACE inhibitors aside from Altace include:
- Capoten (Captopril)
- Vasotec (Enalapril)
- Prinivil, Zestril (Lisinopril)
- Lotensin (Benazepril)
- Monopril (Fosinopril)
- Accupril (Quinapril)
- Aceon (Perindopril)
- Mavik (Trandolapril)
- Univasc (Moexipril)
## **What Other Medications, Substances, Or Supplements Interact With Altace?**
Diuretics (water pills), gold injections, lithium, potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes, aspirin, and other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can interact with Altace.
## **Can Pregnant Women Take ACE Inhibitors?**
Pregnant women should avoid using ACE inhibitors like Altace, especially during the second and third trimesters. These medications can lower blood pressure too much, causing kidney failure or increasing the mother’s potassium levels. In severe cases, ACE inhibitors can cause death or severe physical deformities in the infant.