ACE inhibitors

ACE inhibitors are pills that you take by mouth. Take all of your medicines as your doctor told you to. Try to take them at the same time, or times, each day. Do not stop taking your medicines without talking with your doctor first.

Follow up with your doctor regularly. Your doctor will check your blood pressure and do blood tests to check your kidneys and your potassium levels. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time.

Plan ahead so that you do not run out of medicine. Make sure you have enough with you when you travel.

Other important tips are:

• Do not take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or aspirin if you are taking ACE inhibitors.
• Tell your doctor what other medicines you are taking. This includes anything you bought without a prescription, diuretics (water pills), potassium pills, or herbal or dietary supplements.
• Do not take ACE inhibitors if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are planning to become pregnant. Call your doctor if you become pregnant when you are taking ACE inhibitors.

Side effects from ACE inhibitors are rare. Some of them are:

• You may have a dry cough. This may go away after a while. If it does not, tell your doctor. Sometimes reducing your dose helps. Do not reduce your dose without talking with your doctor first.
• You may feel dizzy or lightheaded when you start taking ACE inhibitors, or if your doctor increases your dose. Standing up slowly from a chair or your bed may help. If you have a fainting spell, call your doctor right away.

Some other side effects are:

• Headache
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite, upset stomach, or diarrhea
• Numbness
• Fever
• Skin rashes or blisters
• Joint pain

If your tongue or lips swell, call your doctor right away, or go to the emergency room. You may be having a serious allergic reaction to the medicine. This is very rare.