Amlodipine+perindopril
About
Amlodipine+perindopril belongs to the class of 'anti-hypertensive drugs', primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Hypertension is a medical condition, in which the blood exerts high pressure (force exerted by circulating blood) against blood vessel's walls. This condition makes the heart work harder in pumping the blood to the whole body. Hypertension can cause severe health complications, including stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure.
Amlodipine+perindopril is a combination of medicine that consists of Amlodipine (calcium channel blocker) and Perindopril (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor). Amlodipine belongs to the class of 'calcium channel blockers' and is used to treat high blood pressure, Prinzmetal's or variant angina (chest pain) and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease. It relaxes blood vessels, so that blood passes through them easily, thereby lowering the blood pressure. It also improves blood supply to the heart muscle to receive more oxygen and thus preventing chest pain. On the other hand, Perindopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, it reduces increased blood pressure by blocking a naturally occurring substance known as angiotensin II (that tightens your blood vessels). It relaxes and widens the blood vessels. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. Thus, collectively, both help lower high blood pressure, reducing heart attack or stroke chances.
Take Amlodipine+perindopril as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Amlodipine+perindopril for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical conditions. You may experience ankle swelling, tiredness, headache, palpitations (irregular heartbeat), sleepiness, the increased potassium level in the blood, cough, flushing (sense of heat in the face, ears, neck, and trunk), Taste change, decreased blood pressure, and upset stomach.
Do not stop taking Amlodipine+perindopril without consulting your doctor since it may worsen your condition and increase the risk of future heart problems. If you have angioedema (Painless swelling under the skin), diabetes then inform your doctor immediately. If you have kidney disease, you may not use Amlodipine+perindopril with aliskiren (other blood pressure-lowering pills). Reducing the amount of table salt (sodium chloride) in your food. Immediately contact your doctor if you have heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and high potassium level in your blood. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please tell your doctor so that the dosage of Amlodipine+perindopril can be prescribed accordingly.
Uses of Amlodipine+perindopril
Medicinal Benefits
Amlodipine+perindopril treats hypertension (high blood pressure) and consists of Amlodipine (calcium channel blocker) and Perindopril (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor). Amlodipine is a 'calcium channel blocker' and treats high blood pressure, Prinzmetal's or variant angina (chest pain), and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease. It relaxes blood vessels, so that blood passes through them easily, thereby lowering the blood pressure. It also treats chest pain by improving blood supply to the heart muscle to receive more oxygen. Amlodipine also improves a person's tolerance to exercise and keeps the blood pressure at acceptable levels. On the other hand, Perindopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, it reduces increased blood pressure by blocking a naturally occurring substance known as angiotensin II (that tightens your blood vessels). It relaxes and widens the blood vessels. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. However, Amlodipine+perindopril does not cure high blood pressure (hypertension) but does help control it. In addition to this, Amlodipine+perindopril also reduces the physical effects of anxiety.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Amlodipine+perindopril
- Ankle swelling
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Palpitations (irregular heartbeat)
- Sleepiness
- Increased potassium level in the blood
- Cough
- Flushing (sense of heat in the face, ears, neck, and trunk)
- Taste change
- Decreased blood pressure
- Upset stomach.
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not stop taking Amlodipine+perindopril without consulting your doctor since it may worsen your condition and increase the risk of future heart problems. If you have angioedema (Painless swelling under the skin), diabetes then inform your doctor immediately. If you have kidney disease, you may not use Amlodipine+perindopril with aliskiren (other blood pressure-lowering pills). Reducing the amount of table salt (sodium chloride) in your food. Avoid potassium, containing food. Immediately contact your doctor if you have heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, and high potassium level in your blood. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please tell your doctor so that the dosage of Amlodipine+perindopril can be prescribed accordingly.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Care should be exercised when Amlodipine+perindopril is administered in combination with medications used for depression (lithium), medications used in cancer (estramustine), diuretics/ water pills (spironolactone, triamterene), medicines for reducing immune system (cyclosporine), blood pressure-lowering pills (aliskiren), medications for diabetes (insulin, vildagliptin), drugs that may increase the level of potassium in the blood (such as ARBs including losartan/valsartan, birth control pills containing drospirenone) and medication for gout (allopurinol).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid taking a high potassium diet and drinking alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interactions: People affected with heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, fluid retention should not take this Amlodipine+perindopril.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAmlodipine+perindopril interacts with alcohol. Therefore alcohol is not safe.
Pregnancy
unsafeThe use of Amlodipine+perindopril is usually contraindicated during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. It may cause harm to the unborn baby. Hence, you should always consult your doctor before using Amlodipine+perindopril.
Breast Feeding
cautionUse of Amlodipine+perindopril is not recommended during the breastfeeding stage unless recommended by your doctor.
Driving
cautionAmlodipine+perindopril may cause dizziness and sleepiness. Therefore, drive with caution while using Amlodipine+perindopril.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before using Amlodipine+perindopril. Amlodipine+perindopril is to be administered with caution in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before using Amlodipine+perindopril. Amlodipine+perindopril is primarily eliminated by the kidney and can be accumulated in patients with renal impairment.
Children
unsafeAmlodipine+perindopril is not recommended for use in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with body mass index (BMI) between 19.5 and 24.9.
- Do regular physical activity or exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week. Doing this can help you to lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm of Hg.
- Limit sodium chloride intake (table salt) in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
- If you are taking alcohol, use only one serving for women and two servings for men.
- Quit smoking to lower the risk of heart diseases.
- Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spent time with your loved ones to cope with stress.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily, and if you notice any fluctuations frequently, please contact your doctor immediately.
- Try including heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acid-containing foods in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oils like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly and seek medical advice if you notice any drastic fluctuations.
- Amlodipine+perindopril may affect patients with hepatic impairment, and hence it is used cautiously, and Liver function monitoring and Liver Function Tests are advised to monitor the liver enzyme changes.
- Your doctor may advise you to get a regular kidney function test, blood examinations for potassium levels and other electrolytes while using Amlodipine+perindopril to rule out any renal impairment.
- Do not take this medicine within 36 hours before or after taking medicine that contains sacubitril (antihypertensive drug).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. Blood pressure is defined as the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the amount of resistance exerted by the arteries against the blood flow. If the heart pumps more blood, then arteries become narrower, and in turn, blood pressure becomes high. If blood pressure becomes uncontrolled, it may lead to serious heart diseases, including stroke and heart attack. Additionally, high blood pressure can also cause brain damage (stroke), and kidney failure. Blood pressure is expressed as systolic and diastolic pressures. Systolic blood pressure represents the contraction and relaxation of the heart. Diastolic pressure is exerted in the blood vessels when the heart beats and is in the resting state. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. Hypertension is detected when systolic blood pressure is more than 140mmHg, and diastolic pressure is higher than 90mmHg. Some of the symptoms of hypertension include headache, nosebleed, vomiting, and chest pain.
FAQs
Amlodipine+perindopril is recommended to use in dose and duration as advised by the doctor. Do not stop taking Amlodipine+perindopril on your own as it may lead to a sudden rise in blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Amlodipine+perindopril can cause dizziness as one of its side effects. If you feel dizzy, try getting up slowly from a sitting or lying position. If your dizziness is severe or unmanageable, please seek medical advice.
Amlodipine+perindopril may increase blood potassium levels in people with diabetes, poor kidney function, and patients using potassium-sparing diuretics or taking potassium supplements. Please consult your doctor before taking Amlodipine+perindopril if you have diabetes.
Even though your blood pressure becomes normal after using Amlodipine+perindopril, it may switch back to high ranges if you stop using it. Your doctor may change the dosing schedule based on your blood pressure range.
Avoid drinking alcohol because it can cause side effects. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this Amlodipine+perindopril will affect you. Your reactions could be reduced. Avoid using salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking Amlodipine+perindopril, unless your doctor has told you.
