Altace is manufactured by King Pharmaceuticals.
This medication is licensed to treat a number of conditions. These
Altace uses include:
How Does the Medication Work?
Altace is part of a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors; ACE stands for angiotensin-converting enzyme, which is normally part of a reaction in the body that causes the blood vessels to narrow (constrict).
By blocking this enzyme, Altace causes blood vessels to relax, which can
lower blood pressure.
As a result, Altace also increases the efficiency of the heart. This means that the heart does not have to work as hard and more blood can be pumped out to the rest of the body. Both of these are helpful for a person with congestive heart failure.
What Are the Effects of Altace?
This medication has also been proven to reduce the risk of a
heart attack,
stroke, or cardiovascular death in high-risk people over age 55. High-risk people are defined as those with a history of
coronary artery disease, stroke, other types of blood vessel diseases, or
diabetes.
When and How Do I Take It?
Some general considerations for when and how to take Altace include the following:
- The medication comes in capsule form. It is generally taken once or twice a day, depending on your healthcare provider's instructions.
- You can take Altace with or without food.
- Altace should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level in your blood.
- For the medication to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Altace will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose of Altace your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The medical condition being treated
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects can occur with Altace. However, not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. If people do develop side effects, in most cases, they are minor and require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
(Click Altace Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report to your healthcare provider.)
You can also read about specific side effects in the following eMedTV articles:
What Should I Tell My Doctor Before Taking Altace?
Talk to your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
- Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant (see Altace and Pregnancy)
- Are breastfeeding
- Are on dialysis
- Will be undergoing surgery or anesthesia.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you are currently taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Do not take any salt substitutes containing potassium without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who take too much Altace may have overdose symptoms that could include an extremely low
blood pressure. If you happen to take too much, seek immediate medical attention.
Storage Methods for Altace
Altace should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat, in an airtight container. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Altace as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose!
Altace comes in a number of strengths. These include:
- Altace 1.25 mg
- Altace 2.5 mg
- Altace 5 mg
- Altace 10 mg.
Altace is currently available in generic form
(see Generic for Altace for more information).
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