Altace 5mg Uses, Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects & Precautions

Altace 5mg contains ramipril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used mainly for treating high blood pressure. Ramipril lowers your blood pressure and helps lower the risk of serious heart problems such as stroke and heart attack. Doctors may also prescribe ramipril to some patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease, and to stable patients who have heart failure after a heart attack.

What Is Altace 5mg?

Altace 5 mg is a prescription drug that contains 5 mg of ramipril. It is part of a group of medicines called ACE inhibitors. Ramipril works by blocking the production of a chemical called angiotensin II that makes blood vessels tighten. This allows blood vessels to relax and widen, helping to lower blood pressure.

Altace is available in several strengths including 1.25mg, 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg capsules.

What Is Altace 5mg Used For?

High Blood Pressure Treatment

Altace 5mg is commonly used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Reducing high blood pressure reduces the workload on the heart and blood vessels. Hence, long-term control of blood pressure can decrease the cardiovascular risk.

Reducing Cardiovascular Risk

Ramipril is also used in some adults who are 55 years of age or older and who have a high risk of having a major cardiovascular event. Depending on a person’s medical history and other risk factors, treatment may reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke or death from cardiovascular disease.

Heart Failure Following a Heart Attack

Ramipril can be prescribed by doctors for patients who have stable heart attacks and show clinical signs of congestive heart failure. Treatment of these patients can lower cardiovascular risks and heart failure complications.

How Does Altace 5mg Work ?

Altace 5mg is used for : Altace 5mg works by blocking the action of the angiotensin-converting enzyme. This reduces the production of angiotensin II, which normally constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure.

This is why ramipril helps to relax the blood vessels and makes it easier for blood to flow. This mechanism helps to lower blood pressure and reduce the workload on the heart.

Altace 5mg Dose

The dose that is right for you depends on your condition, your response to treatment, other medicines you are taking, and other health problems you have. Hypertension: Usual maintenance range is 2.5mg to 20mg daily, given once daily or in two divided doses. However, 5mg is not necessarily the right dose for every patient.

Patients must take Altace exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of the medicine or take it more often than prescribed.

Altace 5 mg Side Effects: Potential

Like all prescription medicines, Altace can cause side effects. Common or clinically important reactions may be:

• Headaches
• Light-headedness
• Cough.
• Low blood pressure
• high potassium levels
• Changes in renal function

In rare cases ACE inhibitors can cause angioedema; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, get emergency medical help.

Key Safety Information

Altace may cause harm to the foetus. Therefore, it should not be used in pregnancy and patients who become pregnant should contact their healthcare professional immediately.

Do not use Altace in patients with a history of angioedema related to treatment with ACE inhibitors. Some neprilysin inhibitors, such as sacubitril, contraindicate its use, and one must take appropriate precautions with medicines that affect potassium or kidney function.

Closing Thoughts

Altace 5mg (ramipril) is an ACE inhibitor, mainly used for controlling high blood pressure. Doctors prescribe Ramipril for certain patients who face high cardiovascular risks and for stable patients experiencing heart failure following a myocardial infarction. Patients should only take this medicine as directed by a healthcare professional because it may affect blood pressure, potassium levels, kidney function and pregnancy.