1. Perindopril oral tablet is available as a generic drug. It doesn’t have a brand-name version.
  2. Perindopril comes only in the form of a tablet you take by mouth.
  3. Perindopril oral tablet is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It’s also used to lower the risk of death or heart attack in people with stable coronary artery (heart) disease.

This drug has boxed warnings. These are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Boxed warnings alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

  • Use during pregnancy: You shouldn’t take this drug if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It can harm or end your pregnancy. Talk with your doctor about other ways to lower your blood pressure if you become pregnant. If you get pregnant while taking perindopril, stop taking it right away and tell your doctor.

Other warnings

  • Angioedema (swelling) warning: This drug can cause sudden swelling of your face, arms, legs, lips, tongue, throat, and intestines. This can be fatal. Tell your doctor right away if you have swelling in these areas or abdominal pain. You’ll be taken off of perindopril and possibly given medication to reduce the swelling. Angioedema can happen at any time while you’re taking perindopril.
  • Low blood pressure warning: Perindopril can cause hypotension (low blood pressure), especially during the first few days of treatment. Tell your doctor if you feel lightheaded or have any fainting spells. Your risk of low blood pressure may be higher if you:
    • don’t drink enough fluids
    • sweat heavily
    • have diarrhea or are vomiting
    • have heart failure
    • are on dialysis
    • take diuretics (water pills)
  • Cough warning: Perindopril may cause a persistent, dry, nonproductive cough. It will go away once you stop taking this medication.

Perindopril is a prescription drug. It comes as an oral tablet.

Perindopril isn’t available as a brand-name drug. It’s only available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than brand-name versions.

Perindopril may be used as part of a combination therapy. That means you need to take it with other drugs.

Why it’s used

Perindopril oral tablet is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Reducing your blood pressure lowers your risk of complications, such as stroke or heart attack.

Perindopril is also used to lower your risk of death or heart attack if you have stable coronary artery disease.

How it works

Perindopril belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Perindopril works by helping your blood vessels relax and widen. This lowers your blood pressure.

Perindopril oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

Some of the more common side effects that can occur with use of perindopril include:

If these effects are mild, they may disappear within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t disappear, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

  • Breathing problems. Symptoms can include:
    • trouble breathing or swallowing
    • hoarseness
  • Swelling (angioedema). Symptoms can include:
    • swelling of your face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
  • Very low blood pressure. Symptoms can include:
    • lightheadedness
    • fainting
  • Low white blood cell count. This can increase your risk of infections. Symptoms can include:
  • Heart problems. Symptoms can include:
    • irregular or rapid heart rate
  • Liver damage. Symptoms can include:
    • yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes
    • nausea
    • vomiting
    • pain in the upper right part of your abdomen
    • fatigue
    • elevated liver enzymes
  • High potassium levels. In most cases, your potassium levels will decrease on their own. However, some people may have dangerously high levels of potassium while taking this drug. Your risk is higher if you have kidney disease, diabetes, or are taking diuretics (water pills). Your doctor may do blood tests to check your potassium levels.
  • Kidney problems. Symptoms can include:
    • confusion
    • fatigue
    • decreased urination
    • swelling in your feet or ankles

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Perindopril oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with perindopril are listed below.

Sacubitril

Taking perindopril with sacubitril, which is used with valsartan to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, raises your risk of angioedema (serious swelling). You should not use perindopril within 36 hours of using sacubitril.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Taking NSAIDs with perindopril can increase your risk of kidney problems. Your risk may be higher if you’re a senior, have kidney problems, or are dehydrated. Examples of these drugs include:

  • ibuprofen
  • indomethacin

Diuretics (water pills)

Taking diuretics with perindopril can sometimes increase your risk of low blood pressure. Examples of these drugs include:

  • hydrochlorothiazide
  • furosemide
  • bumetanide
  • chlorthalidone
  • torsemide
  • indapamide

Potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, and salt substitutes

Taking these drugs with perindopril can increase your risk of high potassium levels in your blood. Examples of these drugs include:

  • spironolactone
  • triamterene
  • amiloride
  • potassium-containing salt substitutes

Blood thinner

Taking heparin with perindopril can increase your risk of high potassium levels in your blood.

Blood pressure medications

Taking these drugs with perindopril can increase your risk of high potassium levels. It can also lower your blood pressure too much and cause decreased kidney function. Examples of these drugs include:

  • aliskiren
  • losartan
  • valsartan
  • olmesartan
  • candesartan
  • benazepril
  • captopril
  • enalapril
  • lisinopril

Mood stabilizer

Taking lithium with perindopril may increase the amount of lithium in your body.

Drugs to prevent organ transplant rejection

Taking these drugs with perindopril raises your risk of angioedema (swelling), a severe allergic reaction. Examples of these drugs include:

In addition, taking cyclosporine with perindopril can increase your risk of high potassium levels in your blood.

Gold

Using injectable gold (sodium aurothiomalate) with perindopril may increase your risk of a nitritoid reaction. Symptoms of this condition can include flushing (warming and reddening of your face and cheeks), nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

This drug comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

Perindopril can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

  • trouble breathing
  • swelling of your throat or tongue
  • hives

If you develop these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with angioedema: If you have a history of hereditary or idiopathic angioedema that’s not related to previous use of drugs similar to perindopril (ACE inhibitors), you may have a higher risk of angioedema while taking perindopril.

For people with liver failure: Your body may not clear this drug out of your system as well as it should. This could cause higher levels of perindopril in your body, leading to more side effects.

For people with kidney problems: Perindopril may decrease how well your kidneys work. Your doctor may have you stop taking this drug if your kidney function gets worse while you’re taking it.

For people with lupus: Perindopril can lower your white blood cell counts. This raises your risk of infections. This is more likely to occur if you have lupus. If you have lupus and take this drug, tell your doctor any time you have a fever or sore throat.

For people with scleroderma: Perindopril can lower your white blood cell counts. This raises your risk of infections. This is more likely to occur if you have scleroderma. If you have this condition and take this drug, tell your doctor any time you have a fever or sore throat.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: Perindopril is a category D pregnancy drug. That means two things:

  1. Research in humans has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
  2. This drug should only be used during pregnancy in serious cases where it’s needed to treat a dangerous condition in the mother.

Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Ask your doctor to tell you about the specific harm that may be done to your pregnancy. This drug should be only used if the potential risk to the fetus is acceptable given the drug’s potential benefit.

If you become pregnant while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

For women who are breastfeeding: It isn’t known if perindopril passes into breast milk. If it does, it may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.

For seniors: Your body may process drugs more slowly than it used to. A normal adult dosage may cause levels of this drug to be higher than normal in your body. You may need a lower dosage or a different dosage schedule.

For children: This drug hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in children younger than 18 years.

All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on:

  • your age
  • the condition being treated
  • how severe your condition is
  • other medical conditions you have
  • how you react to the first dose

Drug form and strengths

Generic: Perindopril

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strengths: 2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg

Dosage for hypertension (high blood pressure)

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

  • Typical starting dosage: 4 mg taken once per day.
  • Typical dosage: 4–8 mg taken once per day or split into two divided doses.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may change your dosage based on your blood pressure.
  • Maximum dosage: 16 mg per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This drug hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

  • Typical starting dosage: 4 mg taken once per day or split into two divided doses.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor will increase your dosage slowly to reduce your risk of side effects. If your doctor increases your dosage above 8 mg per day, they should carefully monitor your blood pressure.

Dosage for stable coronary artery (heart) disease

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

  • Typical starting dosage: 4 mg taken once per day for two weeks.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may increase your dosage up to 8 mg taken once per day if tolerated.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This drug hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in children younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65–70 years)

  • Typical starting dosage: 4 mg taken once per day for two weeks.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may increase your dosage up to 8 mg taken once per day if tolerated.

Senior dosage (ages 71 years and older)

  • Typical starting dosage: 2 mg taken once per day in the first week, and 4 mg taken once per day in the second week.
  • Dosage increases: Your doctor may increase your dosage up to 8 mg taken once per day if tolerated.

Special dosage considerations

For people with kidney disease: For people with mild to moderate kidney disease, the starting dosage is 2 mg taken once per day. The maximum dosage is 8 mg taken once per day. If you have severe kidney disease, you shouldn’t use this drug.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Perindopril oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don’t take it at all: Your high blood pressure will stay high. This may lead to serious complications, such as a heart attack or stroke.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, it needs to be taken on a regular basis.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. This may cause you to have more side effects. These can include:

  • very low blood pressure, which may cause dizziness or fainting
  • kidney problems
  • high potassium levels

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: Your blood pressure should be lower.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes perindopril for you.

General

  • You can take perindopril with or without food.
  • You can crush or cut the tablet.

Storage

  • Store perindopril at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).
  • Store this away from light.
  • Don’t freeze this drug.
  • Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

  • Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
  • Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t harm your medication.
  • You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
  • Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Self-management

Your doctor may tell you to check your blood pressure at home in between appointments. You may need to buy a blood pressure monitor to do this.

Clinical monitoring

You and your doctor should monitor certain health issues. This can help make sure you stay safe while you take this drug. They will check you for signs of swelling. They may also check issues that may include your:

  • kidney function
  • electrolyte levels
  • lithium levels (if you’re also taking lithium)
  • blood pressure

Availability

Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it.

Hidden costs

You may need to buy a blood pressure monitor to check your blood pressure at home.

Prior authorization

Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug. This means your doctor will need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.