Ramipril
About Ramipril
Ramipril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and reduce the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. High blood pressure is a chronic condition in which the pressure in the blood vessels is high.
Ramipril contains Ramipril, which relaxes and widens the blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood to all parts of the body.
In some cases, Ramipril may cause common side effects like headache, dizziness, fatigue, and cough. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. Talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Take Ramipril with or without food. Do not chew, crush, or break Ramipril. Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. Take Ramipril at the same time every day as prescribed by your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Ramipril. Try not to stop taking it on your own, as it may cause a sudden increase in blood pressure, chest pain or heart attack. Regular monitoring of blood pressure, electrolyte levels, and kidney function is advised while taking Ramipril. Avoid taking Ramipril if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Uses of Ramipril
Medicinal Benefits
- Ramipril is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat high blood pressure.
- Ramipril relaxes and widens the blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood to all parts of the body.
- This helps in lowering blood pressure and the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
- Ramipril helps reduce both standing and lying down blood pressure without any orthostatic effect (a sudden decrease in blood pressure that can occur when a person stands up quickly). However, when dehydrated Ramipril may show an orthostatic effect.
- Continued usage of Ramipril helps in decreasing the severity of heart failure, rate of hospitalization and symptoms such as weakness and shortness of breath.
Directions for Use
- Ramipril can be taken with or without food.
- It is usually taken once daily at the same time each day. However, your doctor may adjust the dosage and timing based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
- Swallow Ramipril as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush or chew this medication.
Storage
Side Effects of Ramipril
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Low blood pressure
- Inflammation of the sinus (sinusitis)
- Shortness of breath
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
- Indigestion
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Ramipril if you are allergic to any of its contents.
- Talk to your doctor if you have heart, kidney, or liver problems.
- Ramipril may sometimes cause a lower decrease in blood pressure than normal, especially in dehydrated people, who are taking diuretics (medicines to treat edema) and have low levels of sodium.
- Avoid taking Ramipril if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Talk to your doctor, he/she may prescribe you alternative medicine.
- Ramipril is not recommended for children below 18 years of age as efficacy and safety have not been established.
- Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are taking and about your health condition to rule out any unpleasant side effects.
- Consult your doctor if you have lost a lot of body fluids through vomiting, diarrhoea or sweating more than normal or if you are taking low water tablets to treat oedema (diuretics), or if you undergo dialysis.
- Inform your doctor that you are taking Ramipril if you are due to undergo any surgery or dental procedure; your doctor may advise you to stop taking Ramipril one day before receiving an anaesthetic to undergo any surgery or dental procedure.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Ramipril may interact with drugs used to treat severe heart failure (sacubitril/valsartan), pain killers (aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen), PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil), a drug used to treat gout (allopurinol), anti-diabetic (sitagliptin, metformin, insulin glargine), diuretics (furosemide), corticosteroid (prednisolone) and anti-convulsant (pregabalin).
Drug-Food Interactions: Maintain low salt and low-fat diet while taking Ramipril. Avoid consuming food rich in potassium such as potassium-containing salt substitutes or over-the-counter potassium supplements. Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have angioedema (swelling), congestive heart failure (heart problems), hemodialysis, low blood pressure, hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the body), liver diseases and kidney dysfunction.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Ramipril to avoid unpleasant side-effects. Alcohol intake might interfere with the working of Ramipril. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Pregnancy
unsafeIt is not recommended to take Ramipril while you are pregnant. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not recommended to take Ramipril while you are breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this, your doctor will decide whether Ramipril can be given to breast-feeding mothers or not.
Driving
unsafeRamipril may cause dizziness, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Ramipril should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment/liver disease.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Ramipril should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment/kidney disease.
Children
unsafeRamipril should not be used by children as the efficacy and safety has not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- You are advised to consume low salt and low-fat diet while taking Ramipril.
- Regular exercise is also recommended to complement treatment with Ramipril.
- Eat a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Maintain a healthy weight with proper diet and exercise.
- Managing stress with meditation, yoga, and massage would also help treat high blood pressure.
Special Advise
- Get up slowly while rising from a lying or sitting position, as Ramipril may cause dizziness.
- Avoid consuming food rich in potassium, such as bananas, broccoli, almonds, avocado, and potassium supplements.
- Regular monitoring of blood pressure, electrolyte levels, and kidney functioning is advised while taking Ramipril.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
High blood pressure (hypertension): It is a condition in which the blood exerts increased pressure on the walls of blood vessels, leading to hypertension. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Raised blood pressure can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when the blood supply to the heart is blocked). Additionally, high blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. Symptoms of high blood pressure include headache, dizziness, nose bleed, changes in vision, chest pain, weakness and dyspnoea (shortness of breath). However, most of the time, the signs and symptoms of hypertension are none.
FAQs
Ramipril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke or heart failure.
Ramipril belongs to the group of medicines called Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors that works by lowering the body's production of substances that could increase the blood pressure. Ramipril relaxes and widens the blood vessels making it easier for the heart to pump blood to all parts of the body. This helps in lowering the blood pressure and the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
If you are diabetic you should monitor your blood glucose levels often especially in the first few weeks because Ramipril can lower glucose/sugar levels in blood. However, please consult your doctor before taking Ramipril if you are diabetic.
Please do not stop taking Ramipril without consulting your doctor on your own as it may lead to rise in blood pressure. Continue taking Ramipril for as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Ramipril.
Orthostatic hypotension could be a side effect of Ramipril, especially in people who are dehydrated. Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden lowering in blood pressure leading to dizziness on standing. If you experience this, do not try to stand up suddenly or start walking, instead lie down and get up slowly only when you feel better. People taking Ramipril are advised to regularly monitor their blood pressure levels to avoid such unpleasant events.
Do not overdose on Ramipril or any medicine as it could lead to very unpleasant side effects. Take Ramipril only as prescribed by your doctor. Overdose of Ramipril can cause increased heartbeat, dizziness and sleepiness. Rush to your nearest doctor as early as possible if you have overdosed on Ramipril.
No, it is not a blood thinner. Ramipril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It is utilized for multiple indications, including hypertension and prevention of heart failure progression following a myocardial infarction (MI).
Ramipril contains Ramipril, which is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, stimulates the cough reflex.
Ramipril helps to avoid future strokes, heart attacks, and kidney difficulties. It also increases your chances of survival if you take it to treat heart failure or after a heart attack.
Ramipril can cause hyperkaliemia, an unhealthy state that can lead to death. Your doctor will check your potassium levels, especially if you take additional medications. If you develop any potassium-related symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Ramipril reduces high blood pressure within a few hours, but full action may take a few weeks.
A dry, persistent cough is a common adverse effect of Ramipril, a medicine used to treat high blood pressure and certain cardiac diseases. This is because ramipril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, stimulates the cough reflex. Cough treatment is usually ineffective, but it may ease on its own or resolve after a few days to a month. If it persists, consult the doctor.
Inform your doctor that you are taking Ramipril if you are due to undergo any surgery or dental procedure; your doctor may advise you to stop taking Ramipril one day before receiving an anaesthetic to undergo any surgery or dental procedure.
There is no conclusive evidence that Ramipril affects fertility in men or women. However, ramipril is not suggested during pregnancy, so consult your doctor if you are attempting to conceive.
Yes, Ramipril can reduce blood sugar and may interact with antidiabetic medications and insulin. Suppose you have diabetes and are using Ramipril. In that case, you should monitor your blood sugar more frequently, particularly in the first few weeks. Your doctor may also need to change your diabetes treatment plan.
Stopping Ramipril may cause your blood pressure to rise. This may increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. If you're bothered by side effects, your doctor may be able to prescribe you a different medicine.
Ramipril is usually considered safe for long-term use. In fact, it works best when taken consistently over time. However, using Ramipril for an extended period may cause your kidneys to function less effectively. Your doctor will use regular blood tests to determine how well your kidneys operate.
Yes, Ramipril can be taken with or without food.
Ramipril may cause common side effects like headache, dizziness, fatigue, and cough. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. Talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
It's not yet known how much Ramipril passes into breast milk, but it's likely to be a small amount. It is unlikely to cause side effects in your baby. However, there is a very small risk that it could also lower your baby's blood pressure. Your doctor might recommend a different medicine for you to take while breastfeeding.
Ramipril is not recommended in pregnancy. It can affect your baby's kidneys, especially if it's taken in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. This can result in long-term damage to your baby's kidneys.
Ramipril can interact with various medicines. So, do not consume any other medications along with Ramipril unless recommended by the doctor.
Talk to your healthcare professional before taking Ramipril if you have any underlying medical condition or are taking any medications. Also, ask for advice about precautions and limitations of Ramipril.
The time it takes to see results with Ramipril may vary depending on many factors. It is important to follow the recommended dosage and treatment regimen and consult a healthcare professional for ongoing monitoring.
Ramipril is usually taken orally. Swallow the tablet as a whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew or break it. Take it at the same time every day for effective results.
Ramipril contains Ramipril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor.
If you forget to take a dose of Ramipril, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Do not take more than the prescribed dose of Ramipril, as it may cause an overdose. If you suspect you have taken an overdose, please consult a doctor immediately.
