Altace - A Review of This Popular High Blood Pressure Medication

Altace is a medication most commonly used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Is Altace the best treatment for your hypertension?
What is Altace?
Altace (whose generic name is ramipril) belongs to a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. It is primarily prescribed to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Altace is also prescribed to treat heart failure or to improve survival following a heart attack. Altace works by relaxing blood vessels which causes them to widen allowing more blood to pass through them thereby lowering blood pressure. This drug may also be prescribed to prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.

How Do You Take Altace
Altace is usually taken once or twice a day or as directed by your doctor. Altace should be taken at the same time every day and may be taken with our without food. Each dose should be taken with a full glass of water. You should take Altace whole never crushing or chewing the tablets.

Drug Interactions
Because this medication can affect your potassium levels it is important to not take potassium supplements while on Altace therapy without the direction of your physician. You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Altace as it can cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure.

As with any medication, consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Altace can be passed through breast milk so make sure you tell your doctor if you are breast feeding.

Certain other medications may affect how Altace works for you, so be sure to tell your doctor of any health problems or any medications you are taking including non-prescription herbal supplements.

Other Important Information
To monitor if Altace is working for you, you should have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. Your doctor may also want to monitor your liver and kidney function while on Altace treatment. Make sure you see your doctor on a regular basis.

Remember, only you and your doctor can decide if Altace is right for you.

About the Author
Maryann is an avid researcher of hypertension (high blood pressure) treatments and medications such as Altace and runs a successful website dedicated to giving consumers information on hypertension. For more information on the different types of hypertension medications please visit Maryann's site at www.hypertensionmedsreview.com

By Maryann Hildebrant
Published: 11/26/2007
 
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