Altace HCT (Ramipril/Hydrochlorothiazide)

Description

Altace HCT contains ramipril and hydrochlorothiazide; it is taken to help treat high blood pressure. Rampiril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Ramipril helps lower blood pressure by widening the blood vessels. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic, or fluid pill, that aids the kidneys to rid themselves of excess water and salt through urination.

Altace HCT should not be the primary choice to treat high blood pressure, or hypertension.

Altace HCT is prescribed in tablets to be taken orally. The tablets are available in the following strengths:

• 2.5 mg ramipril/12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide
• 5 mg ramipril/12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide
• 5 mg ramipril/25 mg hydrochlorothiazide
• 10 mg ramipril/12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide
• 10 mg ramipril/25 mg hydrochlorothiazide

Ramipril/hydrochlorothiazide is the Altace HCT generic.

Directions

Take Altace HCT as your doctor has directed. You may speak with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Generally, one tablet is taken orally one time a day in the morning. Patients who suffer from kidney or liver problems may have to have their dose adjusted.

Information on how much Altace HCT you should take will be provided to you by your doctor. Depending upon how you tolerate and respond to the medication, your dose may be altered. Do not exceed 10 mg ramipril/50 mg hydrochlorothiazide within a 24-hour period.

Ingredients

The active ingredients include ramipril and hydrochlorothiazide.

Inactive ingredients in Altace HCT include the following: hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized maize starch, and sodium stearyl fumarate. Red ferric oxide is also an inactive ingredient in the 5 mg/12.5 mg and 10 mg/25 mg tablets. Red ferric oxide and yellow ferric oxide are also inactive ingredients in the 10 mg/12.5 mg tablets.

Contraindications

Avoid taking Altace HCT if you:

• Have an allergy to other ACE inhibitors, another thiazide diuretic, sulfonamides, or any of the medication’s ingredients
• Have ever developed hereditary/idiopathic angioedema, or swelling underneath the skin
• Are currently pregnant or breastfeeding
• Suffer from certain kidney problems, including bilateral renal artery stenosis or unilateral in the single kidney
• Suffer from low blood pressure or are hemodynamically unstable
• Are unable to produce urine
• Suffer from severe kidney or liver impairment
• Receive dialysis
• Have abnormal electrolyte levels

Avoid taking Altace HCT with sacubitril/valsartan because the combination can increase the chance of angioedema. Before you start taking Altace HCT, wait at least 36 hours after taking your last dose of sacubitril/valsartan. If you are switching from Altace HCT to sacubitril/valsartan, wait at least 36 hours after taking the final dose of Altace HCT before you start taking sacubitril/valsartan. If you are unsure whether you take any of these medications, talk to your doctor.

If you have diabetes, moderate to severe kidney problems, high potassium levels in the blood, or congestive heart failure with low blood pressure, avoid taking Altace HCT with medications that contain aliskiren. If you are unsure whether you take any of these medications, talk to your doctor.

If you have diabetes with end organ damage, moderate to severe kidney problems, high potassium levels in the blood, or congestive heart failure with low blood pressure, avoid taking Altace HCT with angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs). If you are unsure whether you take any of these medications, talk to your doctor.

If you are taking Altace HCT, avoid undergoing extracorporeal treatments, such as dialysis or hemofiltration with certain high-flux membranes and low-density lipoprotein apheresis with dextran-sulfate.

Cautions

Altace HCT contains serious warnings and precautions about taking the medication while pregnant. The medication can cause injury or death to a developing fetus; therefore, Altace HCT should be discontinued once pregnancy is detected.

• Before you begin taking Altace HCT, talk to your doctor about:
• Any prescription or nonprescription medications you take
• Your allergies
• Your current health conditions
• Your past medical history
• Your pregnancy or breastfeeding status
• A dry cough that won’t go away may occur while taking Altace HCT. The cough usually goes away after stopping the medication or after the dose is reduced.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or participating in other activities that require you to concentrate and react.
• Some studies reported cases of non-melanoma skin cancer after treatment with hydrochlorothiazide. Higher doses may increase the risk. Patients taking hydrochlorothiazide-containing medications are recommended to get regular skin checkups and to report suspicious skin changes right away. Patients are also recommended to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and avoid tanning beds, and to wear protective clothing and sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 while exposed to the sun or UV light.
• Low blood pressure can be caused by Altace HCT.
• Abnormal white blood cell counts and bone marrow depression may be caused by ACE inhibitors, especially in patients with kidney impairment or a collagen disease such as lupus or scleroderma, or in patients being treated with other medications that can cause blood cell count changes. If you experience signs or symptoms of an infection, such as a fever or sore throat, you should seek medical attention.
• Increased liver enzymes, increased bilirubin, and liver inflammation can be caused by ACE inhibitors. If you experience fever, general discomfort, muscle pain, rash, swollen lymph nodes, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, itching, or yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin, immediately seek medical attention.
• Angioedema, including intestinal angioedema, has been associated with ACE inhibitors like ramipril. If you develop swelling of the face, arms, legs, eyes, lips, tongue or have trouble swallowing or breathing, immediately seek medical attention. The risk of angioedema can be increased by taking Altace HCT with certain medications, such as mTOR inhibitors (e.g. sirolimus), DPP-IV inhibitors (e.g. sitagliptin), and NEP inhibitors.
• Anaphylactoid reactions, such as nausea, stomach cramps, burning, angioedema, trouble breathing, and severe low blood pressure may be experienced by patients who take an ACE inhibitor and receive dialysis with high-flux membranes or low density lipoprotein apheresis with dextran sulfate.
• Anaphylactoid reactions may occur in patients who take an ACE inhibitor and receive desensitization treatment with hymenoptera venom.
• Sensitivity reactions to Altace HCT can occur in some patients, even if they do not suffer from allergies or asthma. Activated or worsened lupus can occur.
• Nitroid reactions that can cause symptoms such as flushing of the face, nausea, vomiting, and symptomatic low blood pressure may occur in patients who take medications that contain ACE inhibitors, including Altace HCT, and receive injectable gold.
• Altace HCT can cause abnormal electrolyte levels.
• Hydrochlorothiazide can cause a reaction that results in vision problems such as glaucoma.
• Tell your doctor about any surgeries or procedures you will be undergoing.
• Hydrochlorothiazide can cause photosensitivity.

Side Effects

Some, but not all, side effects associated with Altace HCT medication include headache, dizziness, and bronchitis. If you develop concerning or persistent side effects, immediately talk to your doctor.

Looking to buy Altace HCT online at a competitive price? With a valid prescription from your doctor, you can at Canada Drugs Direct.

Reference:

Altace HCT. Laval, Quebec, CA: Bausch Health, Canada Inc.; 2021.

About Dr. Savannah Muncy (Page Author)

Dr. Muncy (PharmD) studied science and education as an undergraduate before attending the Appalachian College of Pharmacy where she completed her PharmD in three years. She is currently using her pharmacy and healthcare expertise to write medical content for clients all around the world. She is focused on delivering the most current, accurate, and engaging information to healthcare professionals and patients. Read More....