You might be asking what are the most common side effects of Ramipril?
Ramipril is a medication that is prescribed to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It can cause various side effects, some of which are quite common. In this blog post, we will discuss the most common side effects of Ramipril and what to do in such cases. If you are taking Ramipril and experience any of these side effects, be sure to speak with your doctor.
What is Ramipril used for?
Ramipril is an ACE inhibitor, which means that it blocks a chemical called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). This action helps to relax blood vessels and allows for blood flow to be increased. It is often prescribed as a treatment for high blood pressure and congestive heart failure because it causes arteries to widen. It is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death in those under the high-risk category. ¹
What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is simply the measure of how hard the blood pushes against the artery walls. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood away from your heart to other parts of your body.
Normal blood pressure of the human body is less than 120/80 mmHg. The numerator is called systolic blood pressure and is the highest point or peak of your blood pressure. The denominator, diastolic blood pressure, represents the lowest point or trough. Arteries are very strong muscles that can get thicker and stiffer with age.
High blood pressure is a medical condition that pushes blood against artery walls with excessive force. Arteries are powerful muscles that expand and contract to control blood flow throughout the body. Blood pressure can be affected by various factors, including age, weight, diet, exercise, environmental conditions, stress levels. If high blood pressure remains uncontrolled, it can lead to life-threatening conditions such as a stroke or heart attack ².
When your arteries constrict, your blood pressure goes up; your blood pressure falls when they relax. High blood pressure medications from e-Surgery can assist in relaxing your arteries.
What are the most common side effects of Ramipril?
Patients taking Ramipril may experience certain side effects ³. The most common side effects of Ramipril may include:
Dizziness, fainting, or fatigue: Taking Ramipril or moving on to a higher dose might make you feel dizzy when standing up, so try moving around slowly. If the symptoms are too severe, lie down until they ease before getting into an activity such as driving cars/bicycles.
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea: Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and avoid the risk of developing medical complications. Speak with a pharmacist if you notice any signs that may indicate your hydration levels are not up-to-par, such as decreased urine output or dark coloration in stools. Do not take Ramipril or any other medicines without consulting your GP first.
Constant cough: Cough medicines are usually not helpful for coughs caused by Ramipril. If your symptoms do not go away, you may have to try another medicine or just wait until they pass naturally without treatment. You may experience a persistent cough that does not go away for many days or even months after stopping the Ramipril course.
Headache: To help manage your pain, try not to drink too much alcohol or take any doses of medicine that may make it worse. Resting will also give you time to recover from this side effect.
Serious side effects of taking Ramipril are ⁴:
• Low blood pressure
• Allergies
• High potassium levels
• Liver issues
• Kidney issues
• Swelling
• Low RBCs
• Signs of internal bleeding visible on the skin
• Abnormal heart rate
If you experience any of the above side effects, contact your doctor. It is important to remember that not all those who take Ramipril will experience side effects. If you have any questions, be sure to speak with your doctor.
Is Ramipril effective at treating high blood pressure?
Yes, the use of Ramipril capsules for high blood pressure has been extensively ⁵ studied and found to be considerably effective. For instance, 118 patients aged 21-80 years with hypertension were tested with Ramipril ⁶. The systolic blood pressure reduced to 147.3 +/- 4.8 mm Hg from 164.8 +/- 7.2 and the diastolic blood pressure reduced to 87.8 +/- 3.0 mm Hg from 102.3 +/- 3.1. Both your blood pressure and your cholesterol level is good indicator of general health.
Can high blood pressure cause symptoms?
High blood pressure can be a silent killer. It does not have any clear symptoms initially, and people may not know they have hypertension until a severe complication comes up. Untreated hypertension leads to heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and the need for dialysis.
Symptoms of severe high blood pressure include ⁷:
• Flushing
• Blood collecting as spots in the eyes
• Dizziness
• Headache or migraines ⁸
As mentioned before, many people with high blood pressure don’t have any symptoms, although some patients report feeling tired. That’s why it is so important to get your blood pressure checked regularly if you are at risk for hypertension. You can prevent such stages by taking medications for high blood pressure available on e-Surgery.
Can I get Ramipril online?
Yes, you can easily and securely purchase Ramipril capsules for blood pressure online from reputed and registered pharmacies, such as e-Surgery. Starting from £8.95, the capsules are available in powers of 1.25 mg, 1.5 mg, 5mg, and 10 mg.
Before starting any medication course, it is vital to contact your GP first. Read here to find out some other ways you can reduce your blood pressure from home.
Sources
[1] Ramipril information leaflet (NCBI)
[2] High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Symptoms and More (Healthline)
[3] Side effects of Ramipril (NHS)
[4] Ramipril: Side Effects, Dosage, Uses, and More (Healthline)
[5] Ramipril: An updated review of its therapeutic use in essential hypertension and heart failure (NCBI)
[7] Bleeding Under Conjunctiva (Subconjunctival Hemorrhage) (Healthline)
[8] Can High Blood Pressure Cause Migraines? (E-Surgery Health Hub)
