Ramipril

Ramipril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme or ACE inhibitor used to:

• Treat high blood pressure or hypertension
• Heart failure
• Prevent kidney failure due to diabetes and high blood pressure
• Reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack in patients who have a history stroke and heart disease, poor blood circulation, diabetes, decreased kidney function
• Improve the survival among patients who have heart failure following a heart attack or heart surgery

Ramipril is an Ace inhibitor that blocks that action of angiotensin II. ACE inhibitors are commonly prescribed to treat heart disease like high blood pressure and heart failure. ACE inhibitor prevents the enzyme in your body from producing angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is responsible for increasing the blood pressure as it causes the muscle in most arteries including the arteries of the heart to constrict and become narrow. As the blood vessels constrict and narrow this forces the heart to work harder than before to supply the body with enough oxygen.

Ramipril as an ACE inhibitor reduces the production of angiotensin. This allows the blood vessels to relax and widens and the blood pressure to become stable. When the blood pressure becomes normal, the heart won’t have to pump blood that hard around the body. The arteries also dilate causing an increase of blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart. In the kidney, the narrowing of the blood vessels also decreases the blood flow. Ramipril helps enlarge and reduce the blood pressure in the arteries that supply blood to kidneys. Reducing the blood pressure in those arteries also reduces the damages to the kidney.

High blood pressure is a common condition but untreated high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels, heart and kidney. Damages to these organs may cause heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, heart failure and other problems. Aside from taking antihypertensive medications, making a lifestyle change will also help manage your blood pressure. Lifestyle changes include maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, not smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages in moderation and exercising at least 30 minutes every day.

Why Buy Ramipril?

Ramipril is a good blood pressure-lowering prescription drug that protects the kidney. It’s a first-choice medication for high blood pressure especially for patients with diabetes and mild to moderate kidney disease. It’s recommended for anyone with heart failure since it reduces the risk of death and further damage to the heart.

Ramipril is FDA approved for medical use since 1991 and is one of the most prescribed medications in the US. You can buy the brand version in the market and as a generic medication at a cheaper price.

How to Take Ramipril?

• The dose for adults in treating high blood pressure is 2.5 mg to 20 mg a day in 2 divided doses per day. If you are using it along with diuretics, the dose is 1.25 mg a day. The dose for patients 65 years and above is determined by the doctor. For those with kidney problems, the dose is 1.25 mg a day.
• Take 2.5 mg a day for a week if you are using this to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke or death. Your doctor will increase your dose to 10 mg a day or into 2 divided doses if your blood pressure is too high.
• For patients with heart failure following a heart attack, the dose is 2.5 mg two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose after a week to 5 mg twice a day. The maximum dose is 20 mg a day.

You may use Ramipril alone or along with other medications for the treatment of high blood pressure. Take your medication exactly as directed. Do not take more than what is prescribed or longer than the required duration of treatment. To help you remember take it at around the same time each day. For a missed dose, take it as soon as you remember. Your doctor may start giving you a low dose during the first few days of your treatment and may gradually increase your dose.

What are the side effects of Ramipril?

Ramipril may cause some unwanted side effects along with its needed effects. Common side effects are:

• Cough
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Unusual tiredness
• Blurred vision
• Sweating

Less common side effects are:

• Fainting
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chills
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweat
• Cloudy urine
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Irregular heartbeat

Rare side effects are:

• Unexplained bruising or bleeding
• Seizure
• Weight loss
• Stomach pain
• Muscle pain
• Sensation of spinning

Note that not all side effects may occur but if they do you need to check with your doctor immediately.

Medication Checklist:

• You need to get a routine check-up to see how Ramipril affects your body. Check your blood pressure, the amount of potassium in your blood and your kidney function regularly.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use this medicine.
• Prolonged use of Ramipril can cause dry cough which ranges from a mild tickle in the throat to a persistent cough. This may improve over a few weeks of treatment.
• Ramipril is suitable for adults but it’s not recommended for children.
• Take Ramipril in lower dose if:
  • You have a decreased liver function
  • You have a decreased kidney function
  • You have a very high blood pressure
  • You have a severe heart attack
  • You have atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries
  • You are taking other medications for your condition
  • You have a low salt level or low fluid volume in the body due to low sodium diet, dehydration, vomiting or diarrhea
  • You have a diabetes
  • You have a disease that affects the connective tissue like rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus
• Some patients may experience dizziness due to low blood pressure during the first few days of taking this medication. For this reason, you may take your first dose at bedtime.
• Ramipril may cause an allergic reaction known as angioedema. If this happens to you, stop taking your medication and see your doctor as soon as possible.