Prexum Combi (Perindopril Arginine And Indapamide Hemihydrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Prexum Combi Used For?
Prexum Combi is a combination medication that contains two active ingredients: perindopril arginine (an ACE inhibitor) and indapamide hemihydrate (a diuretic or ‘water tablet’). It is prescribed specifically for treating high blood pressure.
Primary Uses
Prexum Combi is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure can lead to serious health problems including stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure if left untreated. You may feel fine with no symptoms, but treatment is important to prevent these complications.
How It Works
Prexum Combi works through two mechanisms: perindopril belongs to ACE inhibitors which help relax blood vessels, while indapamide is a diuretic that helps remove excess fluid from your body. Together, they help lower your blood pressure effectively.
Good to know: There is no evidence that Prexum Combi is addictive.
How to Take Prexum Combi
Follow all directions given by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. Your doctor will select the appropriate dose when prescribing Prexum Combi for you.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one tablet once daily. Swallow your tablet with water, preferably in the morning. Prexum Combi treatment is usually for life, so continue taking the tablets regularly unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If your next usual dose is less than 6 hours away, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time. If your next dose is more than 6 hours away, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then continue with your regular schedule.
Important: Do not try to make up for missed doses by taking more than one dose at a time.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Dry, irritating cough
- Shortness of breath
- Nosebleeds
- Headache, dizziness, pins and needles
- Feeling tired or weak
- Ringing in ears, vision problems
- Low blood pressure and related effects
- Low potassium levels
- Nausea, vomiting, taste changes, stomach problems
- Dry mouth
- Decreased appetite
- Muscle spasms, tenderness, or weakness
- Skin rash, itching
- Allergic skin reactions
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe dizziness or fainting from low blood pressure
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness
- Angioedema (severe allergic reaction with swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat)
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (purple spots with blisters)
- Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (painful red areas with large blisters)
- Stroke symptoms (weakness, speech problems)
- Heart problems (irregular heartbeat, heart attack, chest pain)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of pancreas)
- Liver disease with yellowing of skin or eyes
- Life-threatening irregular heartbeat
- Muscle breakdown with pain, weakness, fever
- Vision problems or eye pain from increased eye pressure
Important Warnings
There are important situations where Prexum Combi should not be used, and conditions that require special monitoring. Always inform your doctor about your complete medical history.
Who Should Not Take Prexum Combi
Do not take Prexum Combi if you are allergic to perindopril, indapamide, sulfonamide antibiotics, thiazide diuretics, or other ACE inhibitors. Also avoid if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have kidney problems with reduced blood supply, severe liver disease, low blood potassium, or have experienced serious swelling reactions (angioedema) in the past. Do not use with certain blood treatments, aliskiren (if you have diabetes or kidney problems), or sacubitril/valsartan.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, diabetes, gout, heart disease, hardening of arteries, salt balance problems, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, hyperparathyroidism, or photosensitivity reactions. Also inform them if you’re on dialysis, have recent diarrhea/vomiting, are dehydrated, on salt-restricted diet, or of African origin (higher risk of angioedema and reduced effectiveness).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Prexum Combi if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medication, as it may cause serious harm to your unborn baby.
Emergency Warning: Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe allergic reactions with swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, which may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing (angioedema).
Drug Interactions
Prexum Combi may interact with many medications, potentially changing how well it works or increasing side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Steroid medicines
- Other diuretics (amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene)
- Heart rhythm medications (quinidine, amiodarone, sotalol)
- Blood pressure medications (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, aliskiren)
- Antibiotics (trimethoprim, moxifloxacin)
- Antifungal medicines (amphotericin B, fluconazole)
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (high-dose aspirin, ibuprofen)
- Mental health medications (lithium, antidepressants, antipsychotics)
- Diabetes medications (metformin, gliptins, insulin)
- Potassium supplements and salt substitutes
- Cancer treatments (vandetanib, oxaliplatin)
- Immunosuppressants (ciclosporin, tacrolimus)
- Digoxin and cardiac glycosides
- Calcium supplements
- Laxatives
- Gold salts
- Allopurinol
Alcohol & Driving
Prexum Combi can affect your ability to drive and operate machinery safely. Take precautions until you know how this medication affects you.
Alcohol
The source material does not provide specific information about alcohol interactions with Prexum Combi. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking this medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how Prexum Combi affects you. You may feel light-headed or dizzy when you begin treatment as your blood pressure falls. Getting up slowly from sitting or lying positions can help reduce these symptoms.
Temperature Regulation
Make sure you drink enough water during exercise and hot weather, especially if you sweat a lot. This helps prevent dizziness or light-headedness from sudden drops in blood pressure.
Storage
Keep Prexum Combi tablets where children cannot reach them – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is recommended. Store tablets in their original pack until use, in a cool, dry place below 30°C. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on windowsills as heat and dampness can damage the medication.
Overdose Information
Taking too much Prexum Combi may cause dangerously low blood pressure, making you feel dizzy. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, cramps, sleepiness, confusion, and changes in urination. If overdose is suspected, immediately contact your doctor, Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia; 03 474 7000 in New Zealand), or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if no symptoms are present. Lying down with legs elevated may help if you feel dizzy from low blood pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify exact timing, but Prexum Combi helps control blood pressure and treatment is usually for life. You should continue taking it regularly as prescribed by your doctor.
The medication should be swallowed with water, preferably in the morning. The source doesn’t specify whether it should be taken with or without food – consult your doctor or pharmacist for guidance.
No, there is no evidence that Prexum Combi is addictive.
Do not stop taking Prexum Combi or change the dose without checking with your doctor. Since treatment is usually for life and the medication helps control (but cannot cure) high blood pressure, stopping suddenly could allow your blood pressure to rise again.
Elderly people can generally use Prexum Combi safely. However, some older people have reduced kidney function, in which case additional care may be required. Your doctor will monitor you appropriately.
If your next dose is less than 6 hours away, skip the missed dose. If more than 6 hours away, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Never take more than one dose at a time to make up for missed doses.
The source material doesn’t provide specific information about alcohol interactions. You should consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking this medication.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.