Home Drug Guide Perindopril Erbumine

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Perindopril Erbumine

Brand Names Aceon

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihypertensive, Cardiac failure agent

Pharmacological: ACE Inhibitor (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor)

FDA Approved Indications

  • Management of hypertension
  • Treatment of stable coronary artery disease and reduction of cardiovascular mortality in patients with previous myocardial infarction

Mechanism of Action

Perindopril inhibits the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which decreases the formation of angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation, decreased blood pressure, and reduced cardiac workload.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 4 mg once daily, adjustable up to 8 mg daily based on response.

Pediatric: Not indicated for pediatric use.

Geriatric: Start at lower doses due to increased sensitivity.

Renal Impairment: Dose adjustment required; initially 2 mg once daily, titrate as tolerated.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; start at lower doses.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed orally.

Distribution: Widely distributed; protein binding approximately 20%.

Metabolism: Partially metabolized in the liver to active metabolite perindoprilat.

Excretion: Excreted mainly by the kidneys.

Half Life: 4-10 hours for perindopril; longer for its active metabolite.

Contraindications

  • History of angioedema related to previous ACE inhibitor use
  • Concomitant use with aliskiren in patients with diabetes or renal impairment

Precautions

  • Pregnancy (category D), use during pregnancy may cause fetal morbidity and mortality
  • Monitoring kidney function and potassium levels during therapy
  • Patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis or unilat renal artery stenosis

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Cough (Common)
  • Dizziness (Common)
  • Headache (Common)
  • Fatigue (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Angioedema (Rare)
  • Hyperkalemia (Rare)
  • Hypotension (Rare)
  • Acute renal failure (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Diuretics, especially potassium-sparing agents
  • Other antihypertensives, additive hypotensive effect
  • Antidiabetic agents (may increase risk of hypoglycemia)
  • Potassium supplements, potassium salts

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood pressure, renal function, and serum potassium regularly.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for decreased cardiac output
  • Risk for electrolyte imbalance

Implementation: Administer as prescribed, usually once daily; monitor for signs of hypotension.

Evaluation: Assess blood pressure response and tolerability, adjust dose accordingly.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed, even if feeling well.
  • Report signs of angioedema, hyperkalemia, or severe hypotension immediately.
  • Avoid potassium-rich foods and potassium supplements unless directed by healthcare provider.
  • Inform healthcare provider of all medications and supplements being taken.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Fetal toxicity if used during pregnancy

Genetic Factors: None specific to this drug

Lab Test Interference: May increase serum potassium and serum creatinine; monitor accordingly.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe hypotension, renal impairment, hyperkalemia.

Treatment: Discontinue drug, provide supportive care, administer vasopressors if needed, and consider dialysis for severe cases.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Stability: Stable in original container until expiration date.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.