Generic Altace is used in the treatment of high blood pressure. Generic Altace is effective when used alone or in combination with other high blood pressure medications, especially thiazide-type water pills (diuretics). Generic Altace also enhances blood flow in your circulatory system.

Generic Altace is the only ACE inhibitor proven to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death in high-risk patients aged 55+. Typical candidates include those who suffer from coronary artery disease, poor circulation, stroke, or diabetes and have at least one other risk factor, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, low HDL ("good") cholesterol, or cigarette smoking.

ACE inhibitors work by blocking the action of a compound in the body called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Normally ACE produces another compound called angiotensin II, as part of the body's natural control of blood pressure. Angiotensin II has two actions. Firstly, it causes blood vessels to constrict and narrow, and secondly, it reduces the production of urine by the kidneys. Both these actions increase the pressure within the blood vessels.

As Generic Altace blocks the action of ACE, it reduces the production of angiotensin II. This means that the blood vessels are allowed to relax to widen and more urine is produced by the kidneys. The overall effect of this is a drop in blood pressure. Generic Altace can therefore be used to treat high blood pressure.

Generic Altace lowers blood pressure by reducing the production of angiotensin II, thereby relaxing the arterial muscles and enlarging the arteries. The enlargement of the arteries throughout the body reduces the blood pressure against which the heart must pump blood, and it becomes easier for the heart to pump blood. The arteries supplying the heart with blood also enlarge. This increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart, and this improves further the ability of the heart to pump blood. The effects of ACE inhibitors are particularly beneficial to people with congestive heart failure.

The FDA approved Generic Altace in 1991.

If you miss an Generic Altace dose
If you forget to take a dose of Generic Altace, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses of Generic Altace at the same time.

Adults

High blood pressure
For patients not on diuretics, the usual starting dose of Generic Altace is 2.5 milligrams, taken once daily. After blood pressure is under control, the Generic Altace dosage will range from 2.5 to 20 milligrams a day in a single dose or divided into 2 equal doses. If Generic Altace proves insufficient, the doctor may then add a diuretic.

Hypertension
For patients with hypertension and renal impairment, the recommended initial dose of Generic Altace is 1.25 mg once daily. Generic Altace Dosage may be titrated upward until blood pressure is controlled or to a maximum total daily dose of 5 mg.

Heart attack and stroke prevention
Patients usually receive 2.5 milligrams once a day for the first week. The dose of Generic Altace is then increased to 5 milligrams once a day for the next 3 weeks, and to as much as 10 milligrams daily for the long term. The doctor may recommend dividing each dose of Generic Altace into two smaller ones if you have high blood pressure or are recovering from a recent heart attack.

Heart Failure Post Myocardial Infarction
For patients with heart failure and renal impairment, the recommended initial dose of Generic Altace is 1.25 mg once daily. The dose may be increased to 1.25mg twice a day and up to a maximum dose of 2.5mg twice a day depending upon clinical response and tolerability.

Heart failure after a heart attack
The usual starting dose of Generic Altace is 2.5 milligrams taken twice a day. If your blood pressure drops severely, your doctor will reduce the dose to 1.25 milligrams, then slowly increase it back to the starting dose, aiming for a maintenance dose of 5 milligrams twice a day.

If you have kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower than normal dose.

Children
The safety and effectiveness of Generic Altace in children have not been established.

Generic Altace Overdose
Generic Altace taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an Generic Altace Overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

Symptoms of low blood pressure are likely to be the primary warning of an Generic Altace overdose.

Generic Altace Storage instructions
Store Generic Altace at room temperature in a tightly closed container.

Preparations of Generic Altace
Generic Altace Capsules: 1.25 mg
Generic Altace Tablets: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg.

If Generic Altace is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Generic Altace with the following:

• Alcohol
• Diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide (found in many blood pressure medicines)
• Diuretics that don't wash out potassium, such as spironolactone (Aldactone) and the diuretic component in Dyazide, Maxzide, Moduretic, and others.
• Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid): Lithium (Eskalith) levels may increase when used in combination with Generic Altace.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin, Naprosyn, and Orudis
• Potassium supplements such as K-lyte and K-Tab: The use of Generic Altace with potassium supplements, salt substitutes or diuretics (e.g., spironolactone) that increase potassium in the blood may lead to excessive potassium levels.
• Potassium-containing salt substitutes.

You may not be able to take Generic Altace, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Generic Altace or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines

Special precautions if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
When used during the second and third trimesters, Generic Altace can lead to birth defects, prematurity, and death in developing and newborn babies. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant and are taking Generic Altace, Generic Altace should be discontinued as soon as possible. Contact your doctor immediately.

Generic Altace passes into breast milk and its effects on a nursing baby are not known. Do not take Generic Altace without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Special warnings about Generic Altace
If you develop swelling of the face around your lips, tongue, or throat or difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, swelling of arms and legs, or infection, sore throat, and fever, you should contact your doctor immediately. You may have a serious side effect of Generic Altace and need emergency treatment.

If you are taking Generic Altace, your kidney function should be given a complete assessment and should continue to be monitored.

Do not take Generic Altace if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, Generic Altace can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus. Notify your doctor immediately if you think you might be pregnant.

If you notice your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellow, notify your doctor. Your liver may be affected, and you may have to stop taking Generic Altace. Your doctor should routinely test your liver function while you are on Generic Altace.

Generic Altace may reduce the number of infection-fighting white blood cells in your bloodstream. Generic Altace should be used with caution if you have impaired liver or kidney function, or a disease of the connective tissue such as lupus erythematosus or scleroderma. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop a sore throat or fever, which could be a sign of this condition.

Before taking Generic Altace, tell your doctor if you

• have kidney disease
• have liver disease
• are on a salt-restricted diet or have high levels of potassium in your blood
• are taking salt substitutes, potassium supplements (e.g., K-Dur, Klor-Con), or potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride (Midamor), triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone).

Do not use salt substitutes containing potassium or potassium supplements without consulting your doctor. Generic Altace can cause increased potassium levels in your blood, especially if you have diabetes and kidney problems.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Ramipril may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities and notify your doctor. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or other causes of fluid loss may lead to very low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting during therapy with Generic Altace. Maintain proper fluid intake to prevent dehydration and related adverse effects.

Light-headedness can occur when taking Generic Altace, especially during the first days of
therapy, and should be reported to your doctor. If fainting occurs, stop taking Generic Altace and notify your doctor immediately.

Dehydration, excessive sweating, severe diarrhea, or vomiting could deplete your body's fluids, causing your blood pressure to drop dangerously.

Generic Altace may increase the risk of dangerous allergic reactions. Before taking Generic Altace, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction that involved swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat or difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop any of these symptoms while taking Generic Altace.

Generic Altace may cause severe allergic reactions in people undergoing desensitization therapy with bee or wasp venom. Generic Altace may cause severe reactions in kidney dialysis patients.

Possible Generic Altace side effects
Side effects of Generic Altace cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Generic Altace.

More common side effects of Generic Altace may include:
Cough (in people with high blood pressure); cough, dizziness, low blood pressure (in people with congestive heart failure)

Less common or rare side effects of Generic Altace may include:
Abdominal pain, anemia, angina pectoris (chest pain), anxiety, arthritis, bruises, change in taste, constipation, convulsions, depression, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, fainting, fatigue, feeling of general discomfort, fever, fluid retention, hearing loss, impotence, inability to sleep, increased salivation, indigestion, inflammation of the stomach and intestines, itching, joint pain or inflammation, labored breathing, light-headedness, loss of appetite, low blood pressure, memory loss, muscle pain, nausea, nerve pain, nervousness, nosebleed, rash, ringing in ears, skin reddening, skin sensitivity to light, sleepiness, sudden loss of strength, sweating, tingling or pins and needles, tremors, vertigo, very rapid heartbeat, vision changes, vomiting, weakness, weight gain.

People who have been prescribed Generic Altace after a heart attack may also experience light-headedness when standing; more severe heart failure is also a possibility.