Change BP Tablets

[Advice1]

Hi to the forum

I am a female in mid 70s and had a stroke from Carotid Artery over year ago,

and have CVD.

I have had my tablets changed from Quinapril 40mg in the morning and 20mg evening (due to control high blood pressure ) now changed to Ramitril 5mg once a day .I checked the differences and the conversion i found online was 5mg of Ramitril is equivalent to 20mg of Quinapril .The max dose of Ramitril is 10mg which is equivalent to 40mg Quinapril ,but that means in my view i was on originally put on 60mg Quinapril but this new dose with ramitril is only equivalent to 40mg not the 60mg so now i am 20mg lesser dose equivalent .Also the BNF GP guidelines i notice the Pharmacist within the Surgery are prescibiing for Hypotension Only,

although i thought i would be treated with a dose a few more paragraphs down which include two other indications which would be a stroke and CVD not just treating for Hypotension .

But the Pharmacist disagrees and says that my calculations are wrong and that 5mg of Ramitril is actually is equivalent to 30mg Quinapril.

Maybe i am wrong but i would like to be on an equivalent dose at least .I would like any opinions on this .The problems is that the Quinapril has now been stopped by the manufacturer.

Thanks for any help.

[Lisahelen]

I think when they put you on a new drug they give a lower than optimal dose intially to see if you react to it then they will up the dose.

[Advice1 in reply to Lisahelen]

Hi Lisahelen

thanks for your reply i do get your point on a new drug ,but they won't be able to put me on the same Quinapril dose of 60mg divided in one day as the Ramitril max dose is only 10mg (equivalent of 40mg Quinapril).

so it will be a lower dose as the original Quinapril dose which was only recently 6 mths ago worked out and has been working really well and now they are pulling the rug from me so to speak!

[Advice1]

Hi Concerned

thanks for the info on dosages and your kind link also.

[Celtic]

I think you would be wise to confirm with your GP whether or not the 5mg Ramipril dose is correct for you. It is possible that they have started you off on this dose as it is a new medicine for you, with the intention of increasing the dose after a week or two. All the pills work slightly differently so the new pill may have a stronger effect than the old one even at a lower dose. Meanwhile, if you have your own blood pressure monitor at home, then check you blood pressure yourself to make sure it is within normal range. If you haven't got your own monitor, then perhaps your high street pharmacy will be able to check it for you.

[Advice1 in reply to Celtic]

Hi Celtic

thank you for your reply ,i will get a British Heart Society Cuff monitor as they are approved for accuracy thanks for the suggestion.What confused me was a tablet conversion website ii found was stating 5mg of Ramitril is equivalent to 20mg Quinapril ,but i take your point that that may not be relevant as the strengh my be different at even the equivalent dose.

Thank you for your explaination.