Perindopril Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 24, 2025.

Applies to perindopril: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Do not use this medicine together with sacubitril. Do not use this medicine and sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto®) within 36 hours of each other.

This medicine may cause serious types of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, mouth, or throat while you are using this medicine.

Call your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain (with or without nausea or vomiting). This could be a symptom of a condition called intestinal angioedema.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may also occur, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position or if you have been taking a diuretic (water pill). Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. If you feel dizzy, lie down so you do not faint. Then sit for a few moments before standing to prevent the dizziness from returning.

Check with your doctor right away if you become sick while taking this medicine, especially with severe or continuing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. These conditions may cause you to lose too much water or salt and may lead to low blood pressure. You can also lose water by sweating, so drink plenty of water during exercise or in hot weather.

Check with your doctor right away if you have a fever, chills, or sore throat. These could be symptoms of an infection resulting from low white blood cells.

Check with your doctor right away if you have bloody urine, a decrease in frequency or amount of urine, an increase in blood pressure, increased thirst, loss of appetite, lower back or side pain, nausea, swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs, troubled breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting, or weight gain. These could be symptoms of a serious kidney problem.

Hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood) may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: abdominal or stomach pain, confusion, difficulty with breathing, irregular heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, nervousness, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, shortness of breath, or weakness or heaviness of the legs. Do not use salt substitutes containing potassium without first checking with your doctor.

Check with your doctor right away if you have upper stomach pain, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem. C

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes over-the-counter (nonprescription) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, since they may tend to increase your blood pressure.

Serious side effects of perindopril

Along with its needed effects, perindopril may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking perindopril:

Other side effects of perindopril

Some side effects of perindopril may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to perindopril: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were cough, dizziness, and back pain.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Cough (up to 12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, epistaxis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bronchospasm
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Eosinophilic pneumonia, rhinitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache, paresthesia, vertigo, tinnitus, dysgeusia, drowsiness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Somnolence, syncope
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Stroke^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dry mouth
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pancreatitis
• Postmarketing reports: Acute pancreatitis^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension, palpitations, vasculitis, flushing, impaired peripheral circulation
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tachycardia
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Sudden cardiac arrest
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Angina pectoris, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, rash
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria, angioedema, photosensitivity reactions, pemphigoid, hyperhidrosis, eczema, sweating
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Erythema multiforme
• Postmarketing reports: Bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus, psoriasis, exfoliative dermatitis^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, discomfort on exertion
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chest pain, malaise, edema peripheral, pyrexia, fall, atypical chest pain
• Postmarketing reports: Serositis^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Muscle cramps, back pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthralgia, myalgia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): ALT increased
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): AST increased
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Blood bilirubin increased, hepatic enzyme increased
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hepatitis
• Postmarketing reports: Hepatic failure, jaundice^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Visual disturbances^[Ref]

Renal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Renal insufficiency, blood urea increased, blood creatinine increased
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Acute renal failure
• Postmarketing reports: Nephritis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia
• Postmarketing reports: Symptomatic hyponatremia^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eosinophilia, leukopenia/neutropenia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Agranulocytosis or pancytopenia, hemoglobin decreased and hematocrit decreased, hemolytic anemia in patients with a congenital deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, thrombocytopenia, unexplained change in prothrombin ratio
• Postmarketing reports: Anemia, leukocytosis, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Mood disturbances, sleep disorder
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Confusion, depression, hallucinations^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Erectile dysfunction^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Postmarketing reports: Positive antinuclear antibody^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Perindopril side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer