Side effects of perindopril

These common side effects of perindopril happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Cough medicines do not usually help for coughs caused by perindopril. Sometimes the cough gets better on its own. Talk to your doctor if it carries on, bothers you or stops you from sleeping, as another medicine may be better. Even if you stop taking perindopril, the cough may not go straight away.

This is more likely to happen when you start taking perindopril or if you move on to a higher dose. If perindopril makes you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you do not faint, then sit until you feel better.

Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery until the dizziness passes. GOV.UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving.

Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Try not to drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Talk to your doctor if the headaches do not go away or are severe.

Take small, frequent sips of fluids, such as water or squash, to prevent dehydration. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor first.

If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you're being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

If you're being sick from a stomach bug or illness, tell your doctor. You may need to stop taking perindopril for a while until you feel better.

Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or squash, to prevent dehydration. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor first.

If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you have severe, watery diarrhoea or any diarrhoea that lasts for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

If you get diarrhoea from a stomach bug or illness, tell your doctor. You may need to stop taking perindopril for a while until you feel better.

It may help to take an antihistamine, which you can buy from a pharmacy. Check with the pharmacist to see what type is suitable for you.

Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery while this is happening.

If it it does not go away, speak to your doctor as they may need to change your treatment.

Stretching and massaging the muscle may ease the pain during a cramp.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.