Altace

Other names used:

• Ramace®
• Tritace®

Active Ingredients:

• ramipril

How does Altace work and what pharmaceutical group does it belong to?

Altace is an ACE inhibitor. The drug reduces aldosterone production, peripheral resistance, pulmonary vessel resistance. By inhibiting angiotensin converting enzyme Altace prevents the production of angiotensin II that exerts vasoconstrictive action. Altace improves blood flow, prevents the changes in the vessels endothelium, improves coronary and kidney blood flow. Altace decreases the platelets aggregation, increases tissues sensibility to the insulin. The drug works to improve survival frequency in patients with chronic heart failure.

Which conditions are treated with Altace?

• Hypertension
• Diabetic nephropathy
• Nephropathy associated with chronic diffusive kidney disease.

What should a patient know before using Altace?

Altace should not be taken in the following conditions:

• Hypersensitivity to any of the medication ingredients
• Angioneurotic edema in anamnesis associated with previous therapy with ACE inhibitors
• Stenosis of the kidney arteries
• Hypotension and unstable hemodynamics
• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Primary hyperaldosteronism
• Kidney failure(creatine clearance < 20 ml/min)

The medication should be used with caution:

• Aortal and mitral stenosis
• Severe primary malignant arterial hypertension
• Severe damage of coronary and cerebral arterie
s
• Unstable angina
• Arrhythmia
• Terminal stage of chronic heart failure
• Systemic diseases of the conjunctive tissue
• Severe liver failure

In the patients with decreased volume of blood circulation, symptomatic hypotension can occur in case they limit salt consumption. Altace should be taken with caution: in physical exercises or hot weather due to the risk of dehydratation and hypotension because of liquid volume decrease. Avoid taking alcoholic beverages while the treatment with Altace.

Which adverse effects may manifest when using the medication?

The side effects of Altace include:

• Cardiovascular system: hypotension, orthostatic collapse, tachycardia, arrhythmia, stenocardia, heart attack
• Urogenital system: kidney dysfunction, proteinuria
• Central nervous system : cerebral ischemia, blood stroke, dizziness, headache, weakness, drowsiness, paresthesia, estibular disturbance, taste, smell, hearing disorders, buzzing in ears. when using high doses - insomnia, anxiety, depression, confused mental state, decreased libido and potency
• Digestive system: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, bowel obstruction, pancreatitis, hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, dry mouth, appetite decrease,stomatitis
• Respiratory system: bronchospasm, breathlessness, rhinorrhea
• Hematopoietic system: anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, hemolytic anemia
• Dermatological reactions

It is not necessary that the side effects will manifest in an individual but the possibility still exist. For more information please consult your health care provider.

Which groups of drugs or specific preparations may interact with Altace?

The drug is affected by the following:

• Short term insulin
• Sulphonylurea
• Ethanol
• Cytostatic drugs
• Immunodepressants
• Anesthetics
• Anti-hypertensive drug
• Diuretics
• Narcotic analgesics
• NSAID
• K+ drugs
• Estrogens

Tell your doctor about all the herbal preparations as well as prescription drugs that you are currently taking even if they are not on the list.

Important information for the patient:

Altace is supplied for individual use. Do not use it to treat other conditions not listed in the leaflet. Keep the product out of children reach. Do not reuse any disposable materials if supplied with the preparation.