Vascace

What is it?

An antihypertensive which is an ACE inhibitor, available in the form of oval, film-coated, scored tablets in 4 strengths, all containing cilazapril and marked with strength and CIL. White, contain 0.5mg; yellow, contain 1mg; red, contain 2.5mg and brown, contain 5mg.

Medical Uses

With digitalis and/or diuretics for treatment of chronic heart failure, high blood pressure.

Dosage

High blood pressure, 1mg once each day at first, adjusting according to need with a usual maintenance dose in the order of 2.5 to 5mg once daily. Any diuretic being taken should be withdrawn 2 or 3 days before treatment starts and initial dose should then be 0.5mg once each day. Elderly patients, 0.5mg to 1mg once each day to start, adjusting according to response and need. Heart failure, 0.5mg once each day, then adjusted according to response, with treatment closely supervised. The usual maintenance dose is in the order of Ito 2.5mg each day with a daily maximum of 5mg.

Special Care

Impaired liver or kidney function, undergoing kidney dialysis, enlarged, damaged heart or obstruction of outflow, anaesthesia or surgery, suffering from lack of fluid or salt.

Avoid Use

Children, pregnancy, breastfeeding, ascites (abnormal collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity - a complication of various diseases), angioedema (widespread soft tissue swelling due to fluid collection) after previous treatment with ACE inhibitors.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

NSAIDs, potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, tricyclics, cytostatics, lithium, immunosuppressants, procainamide, antihypertensives, a1lopurinol, neuroleptics, desensitising preparations, corticosteroids.

Known Side Effects

Nausea, headache, coughing, fatigue, rash, acid indigestion, giddiness. In rare cases, pancreatitis, changes in blood count, angioneurotic oedema - drug should be immediately stopped if this involves face or mouth.