Perindopril at a glance
Medicine class
ACE inhibitor.
Main licensed uses
High blood pressure and reducing cardiac-event risk in selected adults with stable coronary artery disease.
Important checks
Blood pressure, kidney function and blood potassium require monitoring.
What is Perindopril used for?
This UK product is licensed for:
Treating high blood pressure in adults.
Reducing cardiac-event risk in adults with stable coronary artery disease who have previously had a myocardial infarction or coronary revascularisation.
How does Perindopril work?
Perindopril is converted in the body to perindoprilat, which blocks ACE. This relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Increased bradykinin may contribute to a persistent dry cough.
Perindopril preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg
How to take Perindopril
Follow the prescription label because perindopril erbumine and perindopril arginine are not equivalent strength-for-strength.
Swallow the tablet whole with water.
Do not stop taking it without discussing this with the prescriber.
Contact a clinician during severe vomiting, diarrhoea or another dehydrating illness.
Perindopril side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dry, persistent cough
- Dizziness, light-headedness or low-blood-pressure symptoms
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea or constipation
- Taste disturbance
- Shortness of breath
- Rash or itching
- Muscle cramps
- Tiredness or weakness
Get urgent medical advice
- Sudden swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing: call 999.
- Very little or no urine, blood in the urine or marked ankle swelling: seek urgent clinical assessment.
- Severe persistent abdominal pain, particularly with vomiting: seek urgent assessment.
- Yellow skin or eyes, unusual bruising, fever, sore throat or recurrent infections: contact a clinician urgently.
- Chest tightness, severe breathlessness, fainting or stroke-like symptoms: call 999.
Perindopril in pregnancy
Perindopril is not recommended during pregnancy and is contraindicated later in pregnancy because ACE inhibitors can harm fetal kidney function and development. Arrange a medication review when planning pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, contact the prescriber promptly. Exposure after around 20 weeks requires specialist assessment and additional fetal monitoring.
Perindopril while breastfeeding
Small amounts of perindopril and perindoprilat enter breast milk. It may be used cautiously when clinically appropriate for a full-term, healthy infant, although enalapril is preferred because more evidence is available. Seek specialist advice for premature, newborn or unwell infants.
Perindopril interactions
Check prescribed, pharmacy and complementary medicines with a clinician or pharmacist. Important interactions include:
Sacubitril/valsartan
Concomitant use is contraindicated because it substantially increases angioedema risk; separation is required when switching.
Aliskiren or angiotensin receptor blockers
Combining renin–angiotensin system blockers increases the risks of low blood pressure, high potassium and kidney impairment. Some combinations are contraindicated.
Potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes, potassium-sparing diuretics, trimethoprim, ciclosporin, tacrolimus or heparin
These can further raise blood potassium and may require avoidance or closer monitoring.
Common questions about Perindopril
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why can perindopril erbumine cause a dry cough?
ACE inhibition increases bradykinin in the airways, which can trigger a persistent dry cough. Discuss a troublesome cough with the prescriber rather than stopping treatment yourself.
Are perindopril erbumine and perindopril arginine the same?
They contain different salts of perindopril and work in the same way, but their labelled strengths differ. Check the salt on the box and prescription rather than substituting tablet-for-tablet.
Why are blood tests needed?
Perindopril can change kidney function and blood potassium or sodium. Blood tests help identify clinically important changes.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.