perindopril

Taking perindopril during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy might raise the risk for birth defects, such as small skull, low blood pressure, and kidney failure. Sometimes, this can be fatal to the unborn baby. Because of this potential risk, if you find out that you're pregnant while you're taking perindopril, stop and let your provider know right away. If you're pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, discuss safer treatment options with your provider.

People who take medications that contain an ACE inhibitor, like perindopril, can experience a rare, but serious side effect called angioedema. Angioedema is a medical condition that involves swelling in different parts of the body, including the face, throat, tongue, and guts. In particular, swelling of the tongue or throat can be life-threatening, since it can lead to difficulty breathing. Get medical attention right away if you experience swelling in the facial area, belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or shortness of breath. Your provider will ask you to stop taking perindopril and monitor you until these symptoms go away.

Sometimes, taking perindopril can cause your blood pressure to drop too much. This can cause you to feel dizzy, tired, or lightheaded. Low blood pressure is more common in the first 2 weeks of starting perindopril and when your dose goes up. Make sure to stay well hydrated during treatment. Don't get up suddenly from a sitting or lying down position, since this can cause your blood pressure to drop quickly. If you frequently feel dizzy, lightheaded, faint, tired, or confused while taking perindopril, let your provider know.

Perindopril can usually improve blood flow to the kidneys, which is good for people with high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease (CKD). But in some cases, perindopril can make kidney problems worse. The risk is higher for people who have certain medical conditions, such as blockage of the kidney artery or severe heart failure. As a result, your provider might order lab tests during treatment to make sure your kidneys are healthy and working properly. Let your provider know if you're urinating less often than usual, feeling tired, nauseous, or have chills. These can be symptoms of kidney damage.

In some rare cases, taking perindopril might lower your white blood cell counts or cause bone marrow suppression, which can lead to blood problems. The risk might be higher if you have kidney problems and lupus. Tell your provider about your full medical history before starting perindopril.

Very rarely, perindopril can raise the amount of potassium in your body, which can be dangerous. Your risk of developing high potassium is greater if you have diabetes, kidney problems, or are taking other medications that also raise potassium levels. For this reason, make sure your provider knows your full medical history and what medications you're taking before starting perindopril. If you experience signs of high potassium, such as nausea, muscle weakness, or abnormal heartbeat, tell your provider right away.

Perindopril can cause you to develop a dry cough. This is because it blocks a protein called bradykinin, which causes your airways to narrow and leads to a cough. Typically, dry cough goes away after you stop taking perindopril. If you notice a dry cough after starting this medication, let your provider know.