Always follow your doctor's advice, and the instructions that come with your medicine.
Dosage
Your dose of perindopril depends on why you need the medicine. Take it how your doctor tells you to.
To decide the correct dose for you, your doctor will check your blood pressure and ask you if you're getting any side effects from your medicine.
You may also have blood tests to check how well your kidneys are working and the amount of potassium in your blood.
Perindopril comes as perindopril erbumine (also called perindopril tert-butylamine) or perindopril arginine. They both work in the same way, but the doses vary.
Dose for perindopril erbumine (also called perindopril tert-butylamine)
Depending on why you're taking perindopril erbumine, the usual starting dose is between 2mg and 4mg once a day.
This dose may be increased gradually over a few weeks to the usual dose for your condition:
- high blood pressure – 4mg once a day (the maximum dose is 8mg once a day)
- after a heart attack – 8mg once a day
- heart failure – 4mg once a day
Dose for perindopril arginine
Depending on why you're taking perindopril arginine, the usual starting dose is between 2.5mg and 5mg, taken once a day.
This dose may be increased gradually over a few weeks to the usual dose for your condition:
- high blood pressure – 5mg, taken once a day (the maximum dose is 10mg once a day)
- after a heart attack – 10mg, taken once a day
- heart failure – 5mg, taken once a day
How to take it
You'll usually take perindopril once a day.
Swallow perindopril tablets whole with a drink of water.
Your doctor may suggest that you take your first dose before bedtime because it can make you feel dizzy.
After the very first dose, if you do not feel dizzy, take perindopril in the morning, ideally 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast.
How long to take it for
Usually, treatment with perindopril is long term, and you may have to take it for the rest of your life.
Changes to your dose
You'll probably be prescribed a low dose of perindopril at first so it does not make you feel dizzy.
This will usually be increased gradually until you reach the right dose for you.
Speak to your pharmacist or doctor if you're worried about side effects with perindopril.
Important
Take perindopril even if you feel well, as you'll still be getting the benefits of the medicine.
If you get ill while taking it
Contact your doctor if you get ill, such as a high temperature, sweats and shaking or severe diarrhoea or vomiting.
Your doctor may advise you to stop taking perindopril until you recover and are eating and drinking normally.
If you forget to take it
If you miss a dose of perindopril, take it as soon as you remember that day. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.
If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
If you take too much
Taking more than your prescribed dose of perindopril can make you feel dizzy, sleepy and give you a pounding heartbeat (heart palpitations).
The amount of perindopril that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.
Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:
- you take more than your prescribed dose of perindopril
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111
If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.
Take the perindopril packet or leaflet inside it plus any remaining medicine with you.