Perindopril is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure. It's also prescribed after a heart attack. Taking it can help reduce the risk of another heart attack, heart failure or having a stroke.
This medicine is only available on prescription and comes as tablets.
Perindopril also comes as medicines called perindopril arginine and perindopril erbumine (also known as perindopril tert-butylamine). They both work in the same way, but the doses are different.
When perindopril arginine and indapamide are combined, it's called Coversyl Arginine Plus.
Key facts
- Perindopril starts to work within a few hours, but it may take a few weeks for full effect.
- Your very first dose of perindopril may make you feel dizzy, so it's best to take it at bedtime.
- Some people get a dry, tickly cough with perindopril. If this happens your doctor might suggest you change to a different medicine.
- If you get severe, watery diarrhoea or you're being sick (vomiting) because of a stomach bug or illness, tell your doctor. You may need to stop taking perindopril for a while until you feel better.
- Drinking alcohol can increase the effect of perindopril so that it lowers your blood pressure too much. This can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. It's best not to drink alcohol until you see how perindopril affects you.