How does it work?

Trandolapril belongs to a group of medicines called ACE inhibitors which block the action of a chemical in the body called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Normally ACE produces another chemical, angiotensin. Thus trandolapril reduces the amount of angiotensin in the blood. Angiotensin has two actions. Firstly it acts on blood vessels to make them narrow and secondly it acts on the kidney to produce less urine. As trandolapril stops the production of angiotensin, these actions are reversed. Therefore more urine is produced by the kidneys, which results in less fluid in the blood vessels. The blood vessels also widen. The overall effect of this is a drop in blood pressure and a decrease in the workload of the heart.

What is it used for?

Following a heart attack where the left ventricle

High blood pressure

Use with caution in

Breastfeeding

History of swelling of the lips, face or tongue (angioedema)

Kidney disease

Narrowing of blood vessels in the extremities

People also taking diuretics

Taking the first dose if you have a low sodium diet, not drinking enough water (dehydrated), or have heart failure

Not to be used in

Allergy to any of the active ingredients

Disease of the blood vessels in the kidney (renovascular disease)

Narrowing of the main artery of the body (aortic stenosis)

Pregnancy

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not be used during pregnancy as it may be harmful to the unborn baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk. Seek medical advice from your doctor before using this medicine during breastfeeding.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Rash

Faster than normal heart beat (tachycardia)

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Dry cough

Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias)

Severe swelling of lips, face or tongue (angioedema)

Dizziness

Alteration in taste

Heart attack (myocardial infarction)

Chest pain (angina)

Profound drop in blood pressure (hypotension)

Stroke (cerebrovascular accident)

A severe allergic rash of the mouth, throat, anus, genital region, and eyes (Steven-Johnson syndrome)

Disorders of the blood, kidney or liver

Decreased kidney function

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

The blood pressure lowering effect of trandolapril is increased by:- - Other blood pressure reducing agents - Anaesthetics Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (eg ibuprofen) reduce the effect of trandolapril on lowering blood pressure and may increase the risk of kidney damage. When given with lithium, the levels of lithium in the blood may be increased. If given with an immunosuppressant e.g. cyclosporin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), potassium retaining water tablets (diuretics) or potassium salts there is an increased risk of raised level of blood potassium (hyperkalaemia).

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