Coming off Ramipril

Since taking Ramipril a week ago I've developed horrible side effects in the form of intermittent chest pains. My GP said it's most likely 'anxiety' that's causing it, but I've never experienced chest pains like this until I began taking Ramipril.

Just reading through reviews on Ask A Patient, it seems I'm far from being the only one.

Has anyone else stopped taking Ramipril for this reason?

[Junglegirl_1998]

Hi EllaUK. I was prescribed Ramipril a few years ago, I have never been so ill after taking it. Just two doses in, I had shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, I wasn’t able to concentrate, headaches. I went back to the GP and handed the packet straight back. They have now marked my files as having an allergy to Ramipril so no one else prescribes it for me. Unfortunately for me, a couple of other meds they tried lowered my BP too much so in the end the GP decided I was safer not being medicated until new drugs came out.

Go back to the GP, they will try to tell you that you haven’t given it enough time to settle down, but stick to your guns and request an alternative.

Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Junglegirl_1998]

Thank you. I totally agree.

[puja20 in reply to Junglegirl_1998]

Hi Junglegirl_1998 How old were you and what was your high BP rating for which you were on meds.?

[Junglegirl_1998 in reply to puja20]

Hi,

Errmmmmmm, crikey it’s a while back, I’d say I was mid-40’s when started, my BP has sat between 180-200 for over 25 years

[puja20 in reply to Junglegirl_1998]

Thanks for replying. It shows how numbers themselves are not that dangerous sometimes. I guess lowering bp is like a precautionary action taken by medical science to lower future health issues. Not everyone with high bp ends up with dangerous effects and like you said medicines were more harmful for you than high BP. Glad you have maintained below 200 over 25 years.

Can I ask what is your lower diastolic readings like?

I am 36 and my systolic ranges between 125-160 but diastolic sits 90-105 ( this has been recent development, hope it comes down) and that scares me more than systolic

[Junglegirl_1998 in reply to puja20]

Hi puja20,

My BP never settled after the birth of my son almost 38 years ago, I always scare doctors, seeing the panic on their faces it’s quite scary in itself.

I was only on Ramipril for a few days, my BP dropped too low in the afternoon making me faint, confused etc. The systolic has had a varied swing of numbers from Ramipril It’s a long time ago but I believe it was between 90 and 110. But often dropped lower.

The more worrying for me was the reduction in my kidney function.

Please go back if you are not happy, you know your body and the medication available is numerous, trial and error, usually the doctor will say stick it out, let things settle ....please don’t if you are unwell, keep going back and back again. Good luck