Generic Name: Ramipril

  • What is this medication and its most common uses?

    Altace is a medicine known as an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat high blood pressure. Altace is also used to treat heart failure in people who have had a heart attack.


    How does this medication work?

    Altace works by blocking a chemical in your body that causes blood vessels to narrow. By blocking this chemical, Altace relaxes and widens your blood vessels, allowing your blood to flow through with less resistance. This helps to lower your blood pressure.


    What: Altace may lower your risk of a stroke, heart attack, and death from heart problems, and may lower the need for hospitalization from heart failure.

    When: Altace may start lowering your blood pressure within a few weeks. Though you may not feel an improvement or change in the way you feel, it is very important to keep taking your medicine as prescribed to keep your condition under control.

    How do I know it is working?

    Check your blood pressure regularly. Your healthcare provider may also check your blood pressure at every visit. Following an appropriate diet and exercise plan will also affect your blood pressure results.

  • What are the possible side effects of this medication?


    Altace can harm your unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about other ways to lower your blood pressure if you plan to become pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant while taking Altace.

    More common side effects may include: headache, dizziness, fatigue, cough.

    Less common side effects may include:

    Serious allergic reaction with symptoms such as extreme swelling of your face, lips, tongue, throat, or gut (causing severe abdominal [stomach area] pain). You may have an increased risk of experiencing these symptoms if you have a history of angioedema (a condition involving swelling of the face, extremities, eyes, lips, and tongue) or if you are African American.

    Low blood pressure with symptoms such as lightheadedness, especially during the first few days of taking Altace. Dehydration, excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting can lead to an excessive fall in your blood pressure, which can cause lightheadedness and possible fainting.

    Low blood neutrophil (type of blood cells that fight infections) levels with symptoms of an infection (such as sore throat or fever).

  • Who should not take this medication?

    Do not take Altace if you are allergic to it, any of its ingredients, or if you have a history of angioedema related to previous treatment with similar medicines.


    Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking before beginning treatment with Altace. Also, talk to your healthcare provider about your complete medical history, especially if you have diabetes; kidney, liver, or heart problems; a disease that affects your immune system (such as lupus or scleroderma); plan to undergo surgery or receive anesthesia; or if you have a history of angioedema.

  • What is the usual dosage?


    High Blood Pressure

    Adults: The recommended starting dose is 2.5 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your healthcare provider will adjust your dose based on your previous blood pressure medication and will increase your dose as needed, until the desired effect is achieved.

    Reduction in Risk of a Heart Attack, Stroke, and Death from Heart Problems

    Adults: Your healthcare provider will prescribe the appropriate dose for you based on your condition.

    Heart Failure After a Heart Attack

    Adults: The recommended starting dose is 2.5 mg twice a day. Your healthcare provider may adjust your dose as needed.


  • How should I take this medication?

    Take Altace exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not change your dose or stop taking Altace without first talking to your healthcare provider.

    Swallow Altace capsules whole. You can open the capsule and sprinkle the contents on a small amount (about 4 ounces) of applesauce or mixed in 4 ounces of water or apple juice.

  • What should I avoid while taking this medication?

    Do not become pregnant while taking this medication.

    Do not become dehydrated. Drink adequate amount of fluids while you are taking Altace.

    Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium without first talking to your healthcare provider.


    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 healthcare provider before combining Altace with the following: dextran, injectable gold (sodium aurothiomalate), lithium, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (such as ibuprofen or naproxen), potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium, or water pills (such as amiloride, spironolactone, or triamterene).


    Do not take Altace if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Altace can harm your unborn baby. Altace can be found in your breast milk if you take it while breastfeeding. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.



  • How should I store this medication?

    Store at room temperature.

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