Altace Online - Prescriptions Through AccessMedNet Listings

This drug is an ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) Inhibitor. These medications work to block an enzyme system, which then allows artery walls to relax, reducing blood pressure. This class of drug is recommended for individuals who wish to be able to exercise more normally.

Altace treatment will not cause increases in blood pressure if stopped suddenly, has less impact on the liver than many medications, and is not a problem for patients with asthma, diabetes, or high cholestorol.

Altace is prescribed to treat: advanced heart failure, high blood pressure (any level), reduce the risk of death after congestive heart failure or heart attack, and may be a treatment well-suited for diabetics with kidney problems. This particular ACE inhibitor has shown good results in decreasing the risk of death due to cardiovascular incidents in individuals with coronary artery disease, diabetes, or peripheral vascular disease, even those who have multiple risk factors. It has tested very favorably in the African American population for decreasing the risk of death due to kidney disease. You will know if treatment will be effective within a few weeks, but as there is no cure for high blood pressure, you may need to take this medication on a permanent basis.

Altace is only available by prescription.

Altace Side Effects

Expected Side Effects: Constipation, cough, dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness, nausea, scalding sensation in mouth.

Adverse Side Effects: The following side effects should be reported to your doctor immediately, or medical advice sought if your doctor is not available. If they are serious, you will need to contact emergency personnel and seek treatment at once.

Mild: Abdominal pain or discomfort, allergy (itching, psoriasis, rash), altered sense of taste, fainting, fast heartbeat when standing, headache, increased risk of infection, joint pain, nightmares, ringing in ears, sores on mouth or tongue, swelling in extremities. Report infection or swelling to your doctor at once.

Severe: Allergy (swelling of face, tongue, and/or throat, possibly life threatening), anemia, bone marrow depression (bleeding or bruising, fever, sore throat, weakness), fluid retention around heart, high potassium levels, liver damage, Lupus or other severe skin problems, pancreatitis. These severe side effects are classed as rare, or may have only occurred in isolated case reports, but be alert for them and get all tests and check-ups as recommended by your physician.

Undesirably High Levels of Potassium: Confusion, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, nervousness, numbness or tingling (feet, hands, lips), shortness of breath, weakness or heavy sensation in legs.

Cautions: This medication may not be suitable for everyone, and certain individuals may require dosage adjustments or more careful medical supervision. To ensure the maximum safety and effectiveness of treatment, discuss any current instances or medical history of the following.

• Allergies: Any allergic reaction to an ACE inhibitor means that you should not use the drug again. The development of swelling of the tongue, face, or throat should be reported to medical personnel at once, and you should stop taking the medication immediately. Inform your doctor of any food or dye allergies, this might influence a decision on which formulation of the treatment to use.
• Bee Sting Allergy - If you had an allergic reaction during therapy to reduce sensitivity to bee stings, you should inform your doctor before beginning treatment.
• Blood or Bone Marrow Disease - Do not use.
• Diabetes - Dosage adjustments may be necessary. ACE inhibitors are preferred by some doctors for the treatment of high blood pressure in diabetics who have protein in the urine.
• Heart Attack: Under a doctor's supervision, may be given within 24 hours of heart attack, after the heart has stabilized. The usual dose is 5 mg daily if it seems effective, increased to 10 mg daily for 6 or more weeks to prevent recurrence.
• Kidney Problems: Lower doses will be necessary, usually from 2.5 mg-5 mg. Your doctor will advise you regarding a safe and effective amount. A therapeutic combination of this drug with hydrochlorothiazide should not be used, as the thiazide diuretics are less effective in this case than loop diuretics.
• Liver Disease - Altace has minimal impact on the liver, but your condition should be discussed with your doctor.
• Low Sodium Diet - May increase risk of high blood levels of potassium. Speak with your doctor about the best course of treatment.
• Lupus - Speak to your doctor, this treatment may or may not be suitable for you.
• Medical Tests - This medication may alter results on a number of medical tests. Inform the lab technician that you are using an ACE inhibitor before your test.
• Other Medications - Any other prescription or over the counter medications that you take or may plan to take should be discussed with your prescribing physician and pharmacist. It's particularly important to mention treatments for high blood pressure, including diuretics, nitrates, drugs that supress the immune system, gout medication, anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), or potassium supplements.
• Potassium - If your blood levels of potassium are very high, you should not use an ACE inhibitor.
• Pregnancy - ACE inhibitors are not generally advised during pregnancy, and should not be taken at all during the last two trimesters (6 months). Speak to your doctor about safety precautions if you intend to breastfeed.
• Renal Artery Stenosis - Speak with your doctor about this condition before deciding on a treatment.
• Scleroderma - Speak to your doctor, this treatment may or may not be suitable for you.
• Surgery - If you will have any type of surgery or dental work performed under general anesthesia, it is important for your safety that your surgeon and anesthesiologist be aware that you use this treatment.

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This medication may not mix well with all prescription and over the counter treatments, be sure to discuss with your doctor and pharmacist any other treatments you may plan to take, especially any of the following.

• Alcohol - May lower blood pressure even further. Speak with your doctor about recommended use.
• Anafranil (clomipramine) - This medication may build up to toxic levels, and cause wild mood swings.
• Antacids - May decrease absorption. Do not use within two hours of taking your medication.
• Aspirin, salicylic acid, or other salicylates - ACE inhibitor treatment may be less effective.
• Cotrimoxazole - May increase blood levels of potassium and the risk of disturbances in heart rhythm.
• Cox II inhibitors like Celebrex (celecoxib) and Vioxx (rofecoxib) may make ACE inhibitors less effective.
• Diuretics (loop) - Drugs like Bumex (bumetanide) or Lasix (furosemide) may result in very low blood pressure when standing.
• Diuretics (potassium sparing) - Drugs like Aldactazide (spirinolactone), Dyazide (triamterene), or Moduretic (amiloride) may increase potassium levels and the risk of disturbances in heart rhythm.
• Diuretics (thiazide) - Drugs like hydrochlorothiazide may result in higher levels of medication in your body, which may be used therpeutically.
• Erythropoietin - This medication may be less effective when taken with an ACE inhibitor.
• Glucophage (metformin) - May cause high potassium levels or lactic acidosis when diabetic patients combine these treatments.
• Imuran (azathioprine) - Risk of severe anemia.
• Interferons (alpha, & beta) - Do not combine, high risk of blood disorders when these medications are used together.
• Iron, supplemental - Do not take within 2 hours of an ACE inhibitor, this mineral may decrease symptoms of cough that can develop with long-term use. Do not use supplemental iron without the supervision of a doctor, high levels may be dangerous.
• Lithium - Toxic levels of this drug may build up, the combination is not generally advised.
• Low salt milk - Increases risk of high blood levels of potassium.
• Mycobutin (rifabutin) - ACE inhibitors may be less effective.
• Narcan (naloxone) - May decrease effectiveness of treatment.
• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories, or NSAIDs, such as Butazolidine (phenylbutazone), Clinoril (sulindac), Ibuprofen (Motrin), Indocin (indomethacin), Feldene (piroxicam), Naprosyn (naproxen), Toradol (ketorolac), and others may decrease the effectiveness of treatment.
• Phenothiazines - Medications like Compazine (prochlorperazine), Mellaril (thioridazine), Phenergan (promethazine), Prolixin (fluphenazine), Serentil (mesoridazine), Sparine (promazine), Stelazine (trifluoperazine), Temaril (trimeprazine), Tindal (acetophenazine), Thorazine (chlorpromazine), Trilafon (perphenazine), and Vesprin (triflupromazine). These tranquilizers and antipsychotics increase the risk of low blood pressure when standing in combination with ACE inhibitors.
• Potassium - Do not take any supplements containing potassium without the approval of your doctor. Individuals using ACE inhibitors are at risk for elevated levels of blood potassium.
• Rifadin (rifampin) - ACE inhibitors may be less effective.
• Salt substitutes - Increases risk of high blood levels of potassium.
• Sandimmune (cyclosporine) - May cause delayed kidney failure.
• Zyloprim (allopurinol) - Increased risk of serious skin reactions.

Altace Dosages

Altace is available in 1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, & 10 mg capsules.

Typical starting dose is 1.25 mg - 2.5 mg daily. Usual ongoing adult dose is 2.5 mg - 20 mg once daily, taken in one dose.

Altace Directions

For best results, take your medication at the same time every day.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take double doses, or change your dose without permission from your doctor. Sudden changes in blood pressure are undesirable, and may put elderly patients at greater risk of stroke or heart attack.

Capsules may be taken with or without food, and they may be opened to aid consumption. If an extended release form should come on the market, however, consult the instructions on the packaging. Extended release medications should generally be taken as is, and may be less effective or cause overdose if crushed.

Store Altace away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry location; avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other areas where it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration date.

Keep Altace away from children; both when storing it, and when discarding any unused medication.

Altace and Pregnancy

During the first trimester, this medication should only be used if absolutely necessary. Use during the last two trimesters of pregnancy could potentially inflict severe bone deformations, low birth weight, or death on the unborn child.

If you are breast-feeding, seek your doctor's advice. Not absolutely contraindicated, but infant should be monitored closely.

Altace and Children

The safety and effectiveness of these medications in individuals under the age of 18 has not been adequately studied.

Altace and Seniors

ACE inhibitors should be started in the smallest possible doses. Sudden changes in blood pressure, including rapid decreases, can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

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Altace is a trademark of Monarch

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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.