Coveram: what you need to know

Coveram: what you need to know

PD Dr. med. Witold Polanski

Coveram is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart and circulatory conditions.

What is behind the name?

Coveram is a tablet that combines two different active ingredients: perindopril and amlodipine. Both substances work in different ways to lower blood pressure and reduce the strain on the heart. Perindopril belongs to a group of medicines called ACE inhibitors. These medicines help the blood vessels to relax, which lowers the pressure in the circulatory system. Amlodipine belongs to a group called calcium channel blockers. It also widens the blood vessels by blocking calcium from entering the muscle cells of the vessel walls. This makes the vessels wider and lowers blood pressure further.

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When is Coveram prescribed?

This medicine is mainly used when blood pressure is too high (hypertension). It is also often prescribed for people who have what is called stable coronary artery disease. This means that the coronary arteries, which supply the heart with blood, have become narrowed. The combination of perindopril and amlodipine helps to reduce the strain on the heart and lower the risk of serious complications such as heart attack or stroke.

In many cases, Coveram is prescribed when treatment with just one active ingredient is not enough to bring blood pressure down sufficiently. The tablet makes taking medicine simpler, because it combines two important medicines in one pill.

What does this mean for everyday life?

Someone who is prescribed Coveram usually has high blood pressure or a known heart condition. Taking it regularly is meant to lower the risk of complications and reduce the long-term strain on the heart and blood vessels. The treatment is often planned for the long term, and sometimes it is continued permanently.

It is important to take the tablet as prescribed by the doctor, usually once a day at the same time. The effect is not felt straight away. It shows over weeks through better blood pressure readings and less strain on the heart.

Is taking Coveram dangerous?

Many people worry when they are told to take a new medicine, especially tablets for blood pressure. In general, Coveram is well established and has been used for many years. As with all medicines, side effects can occur. More common ones include dizziness, headaches, swelling in the legs, or a dry irritating cough. Some people also notice tiredness or an upset stomach.

Very rarely, more serious side effects can occur, such as allergic reactions, a sharp drop in blood pressure, or problems with kidney function. Anyone who notices changes that are new or feel worrying should always speak to their treating doctor.

What should be kept in mind when taking it?

The tablet should be taken regularly and ideally at the same time each day, preferably with a glass of water. It does not matter much whether this is before or after eating. If a dose is missed, it should not be doubled up. Simply continue at the next planned time.

Some other medicines or certain foods can affect how Coveram works. Extra care is needed when taking it alongside water tablets, potassium supplements, or other blood pressure medicines. Grapefruit juice can also increase the effect of amlodipine. If in doubt, it is a good idea to ask a GP when new medicines are added.

What to do about side effects or concerns?

If unusual symptoms appear after starting treatment, it is advisable not to stop taking the medicine on your own, but to seek medical advice. Especially at the start of treatment or when the dose is increased, circulation problems, dizziness, or headaches may occur. These symptoms usually ease after a while. Anyone who notices strong side effects or feels unsure should speak to their treating doctor.

Why is the treatment important?

Persistently high blood pressure often goes unnoticed for a long time, but it can significantly raise the risk of strokes, heart attacks, or damage to other organs. Taking medicines like Coveram regularly helps protect against these consequences. Even if taking tablets can feel like a nuisance at times, it is an important part of staying healthy in the long term and avoiding complications.

Anyone who checks their blood pressure regularly and pays attention to a healthy lifestyle, meaning staying active, eating a balanced diet, and not smoking, can support the effect of the tablets further. This can significantly reduce the risk to the heart and blood vessels.

Scientific Sources

  • Vlachopoulos C, et al. Effectiveness of perindopril/amlodipine fixed-dose combination in everyday clinical practice: results from the EMERALD study. Curr Med Res Opin. 2016;32(9):1605-1610. doi:10.1080/03007995.2016.1193481 https://doi.org/10.1080/03007995.2016.1193481

  • Elliott WJ, Chrysant SG, et al. Efficacy and safety of perindopril arginine + amlodipine in hypertension. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2015;17(11):889-895. (Abstract) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1933171115000170

  • Bekmetova SI, Abdullaeva GZh, Khamidullaeva GA, Fayzullaeva ShS, Yusupova KhF, Zakirova FA. Effects of the perindopril/amlodipine fixed-dose combination therapy on the left ventricular myocardial deformation properties and arterial stiffness parameters in patients with arterial hypertension. Int J Biomed Sci. 2024;14(4):551-557. doi:10.21103/Article14(4)_OA2 https://doi.org/10.21103/article14(4)_oa2_oa2)

  • Link A, et al. Blood pressure reduction and control with fixed-dose combination perindopril/amlodipine: real-life study. J Hum Hypertens. 2015;29(6):417-23. doi:10.1177/1470320315589272 https://doi.org/10.1177/1470320315589272

  • Tóth K; PIANIST Investigators. Antihypertensive efficacy of triple combination perindopril/indapamide plus amlodipine in high-risk hypertensive patients: results of the PIANIST study. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs. 2025. doi:10.1007/s40256-025-00765-6 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40256-025-00765-6

  • Dahlöf B, Sever PS, Poulter NR, Wedel H, Beevers DG, Caulfield M, et al. Prevention of cardiovascular events with an antihypertensive regimen of amlodipine adding perindopril as required versus atenolol adding bendroflumethiazide as required, in the ASCOT-BPLA. Lancet. 2005;366(9489):895–906. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67185-167185-1)

  • Jamerson K, Weber MA, Bakris GL, Dahlöf B, Pitt B, Shi V, et al.; ACCOMPLISH Trial Investigators. Benazepril plus amlodipine or hydrochlorothiazide for hypertension in high-risk patients. N Engl J Med. 2008;359(23):2417–2428. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa0806182

  • Laurent S, Parati G, Chazova I, Sirenko Y, Erglis A, Laucevicius A, et al. Randomized evaluation of a novel, fixed-dose combination of perindopril 3.5 mg/amlodipine 2.5 mg as a first-step treatment in hypertension. J Hypertens. 2015;33(3):653–661. doi: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000000440

PLEASE NOTE

This article is intended for general information only and cannot replace a personal consultation with a doctor. For an individual diagnosis, treatment recommendation, or care, please always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

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