Patient leaflet - Coversyl Arginine 5 mg tablets
1. What Coversyl Arginine is and what it is used for
Coversyl Arginine is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. These work by widening the blood vessels, which makes it easier for your heart to pump blood through them.
Coversyl Arginine is used:
- to treat high blood pressure (hypertension),
to treat heart failure (a condition where the heart is unable to
pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs),
to reduce the risk of cardiac events, such as heart attack, in
patients with stable coronary artery disease (a condition where the blood supply to the heart is reduced or blocked) and who have already had a heart attack and/or an operation to improve the blood supply to the heart by widening the vessels that supply it.
2. What you need to know before you take Coversyl Arginine
Do not take Coversyl Arginine
if you are allergic to perindopril or any of the other ingredients
of this medicine (listed in Section 6), or to any other ACE inhibitor,
if you have experienced symptoms such as wheezing, swelling
of the face, tongue or throat, intense itching or severe skin rashes with previous ACE inhibitor treatment or if you or a member of your family have had these symptoms in any other circumstances (a condition called angioedema),
if you are more than 3 months pregnant (it is also better to
avoid Coversyl Arginine in early pregnancy - see pregnancy section),
if you have diabetes or impaired kidney function and you are
treated with a blood pressure lowering medicine containing aliskiren.
if you are having dialysis or any other type of blood filtration.
Depending on the machine that is used, Coversyl Arginine may not be suitable for you,
if you have kidney problems where the blood supply to your
kidneys is reduced (renal artery stenosis),
if you have taken or are currently taking sacubitril/valsartan, a
medicine for heart failure, as the risk of angioedema (rapid swelling under the skin in an area such as the throat) is increased (see “Warnings and Precautions” and “Other medicines and Coversyl Arginine”).
Warnings and precautions
If any of the following apply to you please talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse before taking Coversyl Arginine if you:
have aortic stenosis (narrowing of the main blood vessel
leading from the heart) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease) or renal artery stenosis (narrowing of the artery supplying the kidney with blood),
- have any other heart problems,
- have liver problems,
- have kidney problems or if you are receiving dialysis,
have abnormally increased levels of a hormone called
aldosterone in your blood (primary aldosteronism),
suffer from a collagen vascular disease (disease of the
connective tissue) such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma,
- have diabetes,
are on a salt restricted diet or use salt substitutes which contain
potassium,
- are to undergo anaesthesia and/or major surgery,
are to undergo LDL apheresis (which is removal of cholesterol
from your blood by a machine),
are going to have desensitisation treatment to reduce the
effects of an allergy to bee or wasp stings,
have recently suffered from diarrhoea or vomiting, or are
dehydrated,
have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to
some sugars,
are taking any of the following medicines used to treat high
blood pressure:
an “angiotensin II receptor blocker” (ARBs) (also known as
sartans - for example valsartan, telmisartan, irbesartan), in particular if you have diabetes-related kidney problems,
- aliskiren,
Your doctor may check your kidney function, blood pressure, and the amount of electrolytes (e.g. potassium) in your blood at regular intervals. See also information under the heading “Do not take Coversyl Arginine”.
are of black origin since you may have a higher risk of
angioedema and this medicine may be less effective in lowering your blood pressure than in non-black patients,
are taking any of the following medicines, the risk of
angioedema is increased:
- racecadotril (used to treat diarrhoea),
- sirolimus, everolimus, temsirolimus and other drugs belonging to the class of so-called mTor inhibitors (used to avoid rejection of transplanted organs and for cancer),
- sacubitril (available as fixed-dose combination with valsartan), used to treat long-term heart failure,
- lingagliptin, saxagliptin, sitagliptin, vildagliptin and other drugs belonging to the class of the also called gliptins (used to treat diabetes).
Angioedema
Angioedema (a severe allergic reaction with swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty in swallowing or breathing) has been reported in patients treated with ACE inhibitors, including Coversyl Arginine. This may occur at any time during treatment. If you develop such symptoms, you should stop taking Coversyl Arginine and see a doctor immediately. See also section 4.
You must tell your doctor if you think you are (or might become) pregnant. Coversyl Arginine is not recommended in early pregnancy, and must not be taken if you are more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used at that stage (see pregnancy section).
Children and adolescents
The use of perindopril in children and adolescents up to the age of 18 years is not recommended.
Other medicines and Coversyl Arginine
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Treatment with Coversyl Arginine can be affected by other medicines. Your doctor may need to change your dose and/or to take other precautions. These include:
other medicines for high blood pressure, including angiotensin
II receptor blockers (ARB), aliskiren (see also information under the headings “Do not take Coversyl Arginine” and “Warnings and precautions”) or diuretics (medicines which increase the amount of urine produced by the kidneys),
- potassium-sparing drugs (e.g. triamterene, amiloride), potassium supplements or potassium-containing salt substitutes, other drugs which can increase potassium in your body (such as heparin, a medicine used to thin blood to prevent clots; trimethoprim and co-trimoxazole also known as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for infections caused by bacteria),
potassium-sparing drugs used in the treatment of heart failure:
eplerenone and spironolactone at doses between 12.5mg to 50mg per day,
- lithium for mania or depression,
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen) for pain relief or high dose acetylsalicylic acid, a substance present in many medicines used to relive pain and lower fever, as well as to prevent blood clotting,
- medicines to treat diabetes (such as insulin or metformin),
- baclofen (used to treat muscle stiffness in diseases such as multiple sclerosis),
- medicines to treat mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia etc (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics),
- immunosuppressants (medicines which reduce the defence mechanism of the body) used for the treatment of auto-immune disorders or following transplant surgery (e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus),
- trimethoprim (for the treatment of infections),
- estramustine (used in cancer therapy),
medicines, which are most often used to treat diarrhoea
(racecadotril) or avoid rejection of transplanted organs (sirolimus, everolimus, temsirolimus and other drugs belonging to the class of so-called mTor inhibitors). See section “Warnings and precautions”,
- sacubitril/valsartan (used to treat long-term heart failure). See sections “Do not take Coversyl Arginine” and “Warnings and precautions”,
- allopurinol (for the treatment of gout),
- procainamide (for the treatment of an irregular heart beat),
- vasodilators including nitrates (products that make the blood vessels become wider),
- medicines used for the treatment of low blood pressure, shock or asthma (e.g. ephedrine, noradrenaline or adrenaline),
- gold salts, especially with intravenous administration (used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis).
Coversyl Arginine with food and drink
It is preferable to take Coversyl Arginine before a meal.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Pregnancy
You must tell your doctor if you think you are (or might become) pregnant. Your doctor will normally advise you to stop taking Coversyl Arginine before you become pregnant or as soon as you know you are pregnant and will advise you to take another medicine instead of Coversyl Arginine. Coversyl Arginine is not recommended in early pregnancy, and must not be taken when more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used after the third month of pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or about to start breast-feeding. Coversyl Arginine is not recommended for mothers who are breast-feeding, and your doctor may choose another treatment for you if you wish to breast-feed, especially if your baby is newborn, or was born prematurely.
Driving and using machines
Coversyl Arginine usually does not affect alertness but dizziness or weakness due to low blood pressure may occur in certain patients. If you are affected in this way, your ability to drive or to operate machinery may be impaired.
Coversyl Arginine contains lactose.
Coversyl Arginine contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
Coversyl Arginine contains sodium
Coversyl Arginine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
3. How to take Coversyl Arginine
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Swallow your tablet with a glass of water, preferably at the same time each day, in the morning, before a meal. Your doctor will decide on the correct dose for you.
The recommended dosages are as follows:
High blood pressure: the usual starting and maintenance dose is 5mg once daily. After one month, this can be increased to 10mg once a day if required. 10mg a day is the maximum recommended dose for high blood pressure.
If you are 65 or older, the usual starting dose is 2.5mg once a day. After a month this can be increased to 5mg once a day and then if necessary to 10mg once daily.
Heart failure: the usual starting dose is 2.5mg once daily. After two weeks, this can be increased to 5mg once a day, which is the maximum recommended dose for heart failure.
Stable coronary artery disease: the usual starting dose is 5mg once daily. After two weeks, this can be increased to 10mg once daily, which is the maximum recommended dose in this indication. If you are 65 or older, the usual starting dose is 2.5mg once a day. After a week this can be increased to 5mg once a day and after a further week to 10mg once daily.
Use in children and adolescents
Use in children and adolescents is not recommended.
If you take more Coversyl Arginine than you should
If you take too many tablets, contact your nearest accident and emergency department or tell your doctor immediately. The most likely effect in case of overdose is low blood pressure which can make you feel dizzy or faint. If this happens, lying down with the legs raised can help.
If you forget to take Coversyl Arginine
It is important to take your medicine every day as regular treatment works better. However, if you forget to take a dose of Coversyl Arginine, take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Coversyl Arginine
As the treatment with Coversyl Arginine is usually life-long, you should discuss with your doctor before stopping this medicinal product.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Stop taking the medicinal product and see a doctor immediately, if you experience any of the following side effects that can be serious:
swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, difficulty in
breathing (angioedema) (See section 2 “ Warnings and precautions”) (Uncommon - may affect up to 1 in 100 people),
severe dizziness or fainting due to low blood pressure
(Common - may affect up to 1 in 10 people),
unusual fast or irregular heart beat, chest pain, (angina) or
heart attack (Very rare - may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people),
weakness of arms or legs, or problems speaking which could
be a sign of a possible stroke (Very rare - may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people),
sudden wheeziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, or
difficulty in breathing (bronchospasm) (Uncommon - may affect up to 1 in 100 people),
inflamed pancreas which may cause severe abdominal and
back pain accompanied with feeling very unwell (Very rare - may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people),
yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice) which could be a sign of
hepatitis (Very rare - may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people),
skin rash which often starts with red itchy patches on your face,
arms or legs (erythema multiforme) (Very rare - may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people).
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects:
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- headache,
- dizziness,
- vertigo,
- pins and needles,
- vision disturbances,
- tinnitus (sensation of noises in the ears),
- cough,
- shortness of breath (dyspnoea),
gastrointestinal disorders (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain,
taste disturbances, dyspepsia or difficulty of digestion, diarrhoea, constipation),
- allergic reactions (such as skin rashes, itching),
- muscle cramps,
- feeling of weakness.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- depression,
- mood swings,
- sleep disturbances,
- dry mouth,
- intense itching or severe skin rashes,
- formation of blister clusters over the skin,
- kidney problems,
impotence,
- sweating,
- excess of eosinophils (a type of white blood cells),
- somnolence,
- fainting,
- palpitations,
- tachycardia,
- vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels),
- photosensitivity reaction (increased sensitivity of the skin to sun),
- arthralgia (joint pain),
- myalgia (muscle pain),
- chest pain,
- malaise,
- oedema peripheral,
- fever,
- fall,
- change in laboratory parameters: high blood level of potassium reversible on discontinuation, low level of sodium, hypoglycaemia (very low blood sugar level) in case of diabetic patients, increased blood urea, and increased blood creatinine.
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people):
- acute renal failure,
- dark urine, feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting), muscle cramps, confusion and seizures. These may be symptoms of a condition called SIADH (inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion),
- decreased or absent urine output,
- flushing,
- psoriasis worsening,
- changes in laboratory parameters: Increased level of liver enzymes, high level of serum bilirubin.
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):
- confusion,
- eosinophilic pneumonia (a rare type of pneumonia),
- rhinitis (blocked up or runny nose),
- changes in blood values such as a lower number of white and red blood cells, lower haemoglobin, lower number of blood platelets.
If you have these symptoms contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from available data): Discolouration, numbness and pain in fingers or toes (Raynaud’s phenomenon).
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Coversyl Arginine
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use Coversyl Arginine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and container.
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Keep the container tightly closed in order to protect from moisture. If your tablets become discoloured or show any other signs of deterioration, consult your pharmacist who will tell you what to do. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Coversyl Arginine contains
- The active substance is perindopril arginine. Each film-coated tablet contains 5mg perindopril arginine (corresponding to 3.395mg perindopril) or 10mg perindopril arginine (corresponding to 6.790mg perindopril).
- The other ingredients in the tablet core are: lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, maltodextrin, hydrophobic colloidal silica, sodium starch glycolate (type A), and in the tablet film-coating: glycerol, hypromellose, macrogol 6000, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide (E171) and copper chlorophyllin complex (E141).
What Coversyl Arginine looks like and contents of the pack
Coversyl Arginine 5mg tablets are light-green, rod-shaped film-coated tablets engraved with a logo on one side and scored on both edges.
Coversyl Arginine 10mg tablets are light-green, round film-coated tablets engraved with a heart on one side and a logo on the other side.
Both strengths of tablets are available in plastic containers of 30 tablets.
Manufacturer
Manufactured by Servier (Ireland) Industries Ltd., Gorey Road, Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland. Procured from within the EU and repackaged by the Product Licence holder: G-Pharma Ltd., Dakota Avenue, Salford M50 2PU.
PL 16369/1429 Coversyl Arginine 5mg tablets PL 16369/1430 Coversyl Arginine 10mg tablets
POM
Date of revision of this leaflet: 02/03/2023
Coversyl is a registered trademark of BIOFARMA.
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