Ramipril
Description
Ramipril is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and certain other heart conditions. It may also be used to prevent and reduce the risk of a heart attack. This medicine works by relaxing the blood vessels and promotes a smooth flow of the blood. This medicine comes only in oral form (tablet and capsule).
Ramipril has some side effects like headache, cough, diarrhoea, stomach pain and nausea. It may also cause dizziness, and it is advisable to avoid driving vehicles and operating machines. Rise slowly from sitting or lying position if you feel dizzy while on Ramipril treatment. Let your doctor know about any cough or throat irritation that persists.
Ramipril should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Usually, these side effects are temporary. If any of these side effects do not resolve with time or get worse, seek a doctor's consultation at the earliest.
Ramipril should be taken with or without food. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine alone or with other medications. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly as it can cause a rise in blood pressure, thereby increasing the risk of a heart attack. Ramipril is a widely used medicine and is considered safe for long-term use.
Ramipril may interact with other medicines. Therefore, share your entire medical and medication history with your doctor. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding before taking Ramipril.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Ramipril
- Blurred vision
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Unusual tiredness and weakness
- Back pain
- Chest tightness
- Increased heartbeat
- Cough
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
Uses of Ramipril
What is it prescribed for?
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular risk reduction
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Renal disease
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Ramipril can be observed within 1-2 hours of taking it.
- Duration of effectThe effect of Ramipril lasts for an average duration of 24 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Ramipril due to the increased risk of side effects. Avoid performing any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving vehicles or operating machines.
- Is it habit forming?Ramipril has no habit forming tendency.
- Usage in pregnancy?Ramipril is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may affect the development of kidneys in the foetus. Your doctor may prescribe you a safer medicine to lower down your blood pressure.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Ramipril is known to pass into the breastmilk. It is advisable to discontinue breastfeeding while taking this medicine. Discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid taking Ramipril if you are allergic to this medicine. Seek medical attention if you see symptoms such as skin rash, hives (itchy, painful eruptions that sting), swelling (face, lips, tongue, etc.), breathing difficulty, etc.
Aliskiren
Combined use of Ramipril together with Aliskiren (a drug used to treat high blood pressure) is not recommended if you have diabetes and/or kidney impairment with CrCl less than 60 ml/min. Combined use of these medicines may increase the risk of side effects.
Renal artery stenosis
Renal artery stenosis is a condition in which the blood vessels that carry blood to your kidneys become narrow and restrict blood flow. Ramipril is not recommended if you have renal artery stenosis as it reduces the filtration capacity of your kidneys. This increases the amount of unused medicine in your blood resulting in toxicity.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Ramipril is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may affect the development of kidneys in the foetus. Your doctor may prescribe you a safer medicine to lower down your blood pressure.
Breast-feeding
Ramipril is known to pass into the breastmilk. It is advisable to discontinue breastfeeding while taking this medicine. Discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Hypotension
Symptomatic hypotension (low blood pressure) may occur in individuals with volume depletion (excess loss of salt and fluid leading to reduced fluid volume) or in people who are treated with other antihypertensive medicines. Correct this condition before initiating treatment with Ramipril.
Hyperkalemia
Ramipril may increase potassium levels in the blood. It should be used with caution if you have hyperkalemia (increased potassium levels in the blood) and potassium levels should be monitored regularly. Avoid potassium-rich foods (potatoes, bananas) and potassium supplements during treatment with this medicine.
Kidney disease
Ramipril may cause azotemia (elevated levels of urea and other nitrogen compounds in the blood) if you have a history of severe kidney problems. Your doctor will closely monitor your kidney function or adjust the dose to use this medicine safely.
Use in children
Ramipril is not recommended for use in children and adolescents less than 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Cough
Ramipril may cause a persistent, nonproductive cough that is usually resolved once the medicine is discontinued.
Driving and operating machine
Ramipril may cause dizziness and a decrease in blood pressure. Avoid performing any activities that require high mental alertness like driving vehicles or operating machines or until you know how this medicine affects you.
Missed Dose
If you missed a dose of Ramipril, take it as soon as you remember. If the next dose timing is near, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at your usual time. Do not double the dose.
Overdose
Never take Ramipril more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the emergency department of your local hospital.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Ramipril due to the increased risk of side effects. Avoid performing any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving vehicles or operating machines.
Interaction with Medicine
Corticosteroids
Insulin
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines
Lithium
Disease interactions
Angioedema
Use of Ramipril is not recommended if you have a history of angioedema (swelling in the lower layer of your skin). In such cases, you may be at an increased risk of angioedema while receiving the treatment. Consult with your doctor if you have any concerns.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Ramipril with or without food. It can make you feel dizzy for the first few days, so rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down.
You can also prefer taking it at bedtime to avoid dizziness throughout the day.
Let your doctor know about any cough or throat irritation that does not go away.
It may increase the level of potassium in the blood.
Avoid taking potassium supplements and potassium-rich foods such as bananas and broccoli.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Ramipril works by relaxing the blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow smoothly and decreases blood pressure.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Ramipril 5mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 31 August 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 31 August 2021].
2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 31 August 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - ramipril- Ramipril capsule. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 17 August 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 5 Oct 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.