Can you come off blood pressure tablets?
You may need to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. But your doctor might be able to reduce or stop your treatment if your blood pressure stays under control for several years. Its really important to take your medicine as directed.
I have been diagnosed with heart failure and the doctor has prescribed me Ramipres. Why?
Ramipres belongs to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor group of drugs. It relaxes and widens the blood vessels, making it easier for the blood to pass through the vessels. As a result of this, the heart does not have to work more to push the blood. Since the workload on the heart is reduced, it is beneficial in heart failure. Additionally, it is also used to lower blood pressure and prevent stroke.
When can I expect my blood pressure to be normal after starting Ramipres?
Ramipres takes a few hours to reduce high blood pressure but since there are no symptoms, you will not notice any difference. It takes a few weeks for the blood pressure to get fully controlled. Do not stop taking the medicine. Keep taking it even if you feel better or if your blood pressure is normalized.
What is Ramipril 2.5 mg used for?
Ramipril is a medicine widely used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. Its also prescribed after a heart attack. Ramipril helps prevent future strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems. It also improves your survival if youre taking it for heart failure or after a heart attack.
Can Ramipres increase potassium levels? If yes, what should be done?
Ramipres may increase potassium levels in the blood, especially if you have uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, kidney problems and dehydration. Potassium levels may also increase in patients using potassium salts or medicines which increase potassium levels or are aged more than 70 years of age. If you have any of these conditions and are using Ramipres, you need to be careful and get regular blood tests done to monitor potassium levels.
I have been using Ramipres for blood pressure since sometime, but now I have noticed that I often have a sore throat along with fever. I want to stop Ramipres and see if this goes, can I stop Ramipres?
No, you should not stop Ramipres suddenly as this may cause a sudden increase in your blood pressure which may be harmful for you. In addition to this, Ramipres can very rarely decrease your white blood cell count which are important to fight infections in your body. Consult your doctor and get a blood test done. If your white cell count is decreased, it could be due to Ramipres. Ask your doctor for an alternative medicine for blood pressure. You can continue taking Ramipres if your investigations are normal.
What are the long term side effects of ramipril?
If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure.
How much does ramipril lower BP?
Compared with baseline, ramipril reduced mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure by 19.9/14.7 mmHg (P < 0.001/P < 0.001). Ramipril reduced diastolic blood pressure to < or = 90 mmHg or by at least 10 mmHg in 84.1% of the patients.
Can ramipril cause shortness of breath?
The most common side effects of ramipril (seen in between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people) include headache, dizziness, tickly cough, inflammation of the sinuses, shortness of breath, upset stomach or gut, rash, cramps or muscle pains, low blood pressure or fainting, chest pain and tiredness.
Does ramipril make you urinate more?
Ramipril is called an ACE inhibitor and works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow through the body more easily. Hydrochlorothiazide (or "The thiazide diuretic") increases the amount of urine you make, removing extra water and salt from your body.
What is the most popular medication for high blood pressure?
In terms of prescriptions written, the ACE inhibitor lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) tops the list, followed by amlodipine besylate (Norvasc), a calcium channel blocker, and generic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).
Can Ramipres affect my fertility?
There is no evidence that Ramipres has any effect on fertility in both men and women. However, if you are planning to get pregnant, talk to your doctor first because Ramipres is not recommended in pregnancy.
Can you eat bananas when taking ramipril?
People taking ACE inhibitors or ARBs should limit their intake of high-potassium foods like bananas, oranges, avocados, tomatoes, white and sweet potatoes and dried fruits —, especially apricots.
What does ramipril do to the kidneys?
In addition to decreasing angiotensin II and increasing bradykinin levels, ramipril increases the levels of vasodilatory renal medullary neutral lipids and inhibits platelet-derived growth factor-induced proliferation of glomerulus cells. Ramipril also decreases transforming growth factor-beta in the kidney.
How long should you take ramipril?
The antihypertensive effect of a single dose usually lasts for 24 hours. The maximum antihypertensive effect of continued treatment with ramipril is generally apparent after 3 to 4 weeks. It has been shown that the antihypertensive effect is sustained under long term therapy lasting 2 years.
What foods should be avoided when taking ramipril?
Do I need to avoid any food or drinks while taking ramipril? You shouldnt use salt substitutes such as Lo-Salt while youre taking ramipril. This is because these have a high content of potassium, which together with the ramipril can make the amount of potassium in your blood rise too high.
I have diabetes. Does Ramipres have any effect on blood sugar levels?
Yes, Ramipres may have some effect on antidiabetic medicines and insulin and may lower your blood sugar levels. Therefore, you need to check your blood sugar levels regularly.
Will there be any problem if I am taking Ramipres and I have a surgery scheduled in a week?
Inform your doctor that you are taking Ramipres. Ramipres can reduce your blood pressure when it is used with a general anesthetic. Your doctor may advise you to stop taking it 24 hours before surgery.
Do blood pressure tablets work immediately?
The action of blood pressure drugs peaks anywhere from four to 15 hours later after you take a dose. Ideally, the drug is prescribed so that the peak concentration coincides with the time of day when your blood pressure is at its highest.
I accidentally took a 25 mg Ramipres tablet instead of one 5 mg. Will it have any harmful effects?
Yes, you may feel lightheaded, dizzy, your pulse may become slow and you may even faint. You should take the help of a relative or friend for emergency or seek immediate medical support.
Can ramipril cause anxiety?
Hyperkalemia: In 1% to 10% of patients, hyperkalemia has been present. Anxiety-like symptoms: Patients who are known to have anxiety or tremors should be watched for these symptoms for a few weeks at minimum when initiating ramipril.
Is it safe to take Ramipres for a long time?
Yes, Ramipres is safe and works best if taken for a long time. But, taking Ramipres for a long time can sometimes affect the working of your kidneys. To keep track of this, your doctor will get regular blood tests done and check how well your kidneys are working.
Is ramipril any good?
Ramipril is such an effective antihypertensive drug which could lower diastolic blood pressure by 20mmHg, however it has a very powerful effect in preventing cerebrovascular accidents through stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques ( Proof: Hope study).
Does ramipril slow heart rate?
In people with heart failure, ramipril decreases the size of the heart and increases how much blood the heart can pump out. It also increases exercise tolerance, without having much of an effect on heart rate.
What causes high blood pressure?
Common factors that can lead to high blood pressure include: A diet high in salt, fat , and/or cholesterol . Chronic conditions such as kidney and hormone problems, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Family history, especially if your parents or other close relatives have high blood pressure.
Ever since I started taking Ramipres, I noticed that I have developed dry cough which is very irritating and is not relieved by any medicine. Why is it?
Ramipres commonly is responsible for dry cough which can be persistent and is not relieved by any medicine. Talk to your doctor if it bothers you or you have trouble sleeping, as another medicine may be better. Even if you stop taking Ramipres, the cough may take a few days to a month to go away.