Perindopril is a long-acting ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) inhibitor and is indicated in-

• Essential hypertension,
• Stable coronary artery disease,
• Congestive heart failure.

Hypertension: One Perindopril 4 tablet once daily preferably in the morning. If necessary, the dose may be increased to 8 mg after 1 month of treatment. Perindopril should be taken before food.

Stable coronary artery disease: Perindopril 4 once daily for two weeks, then increased to 8 mg once daily, depending on renal function and provided that the 4 mg dose is well tolerated. Elderly patients should receive Perindopril 2 mg once daily for one week, then Perindopril 4 once daily the next week, before increasing the dose up to 8 mg once daily, depending on renal, function. The dose should be increased only if the previous lower dose is well tolerated.

Congestive heart failure: Perindopril should be started under close medical supervision at a starting dose of 2 mg in the morning. If necessary dose may be increased to 4 mg.

Elderly patients: Start at low daily dose (4 mg or less) and titrate slowly as needed. Experience with doses exceeding 8 mg is limited.

Perindopril is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to Perindopril. This drug is contraindicated in case of management of hypertension of Children, during Pregnancy & Lactation.

Rare and mild: usually at the start of treatment cough, fatigue, asthenia, headache, disturbances of mood and/or sleep have been reported.

Less often: Taste impairment, epigastric discomfort, nausea, abdominal pain and rash. Reversible increase in blood urea and creatinine may be observed. Proteinuria has occurred in some patients.

Rarely: Angioneurotic edema and decrease in hemoglobin, red cells and platelets have been reported.

In the following cases, Perindopril should be used with caution:

• Renovascular hypertension
• Surgery/Anesthesia
• Renal failure: The dose should be cautiously adjusted in accordance with the creatinine clearance
• Symptomatic hypotension is rarely seen, but is more likely in volume-depleted patients, those receiving diuretics, or with the first two doses
• In diuretic-treated patients: stop the diuretic 3 days before starting Perindopril. A diuretic may later be given in combination if necessary; potassium-sparing diuretics are not recommended
• Combination with neuroleptics or imipramine-type drugs may increase the hypotensive effect. Serum lithium concentrations may rise during lithium therapy

Pregnancy & Lactation

Perindopril should not be used during pregnancy & lactation.