ACE inhibitor prescribed for CKD

[Dedalus]

I had a kidney removed approx 4 years ago due to a cancerous tumour, and because of low creatinine levels recently have now been prescribed an ACE inhibitor for the protection of the remaining kidney. As I do not have high blood pressure (just the opposite) I am a bit afraid of this as a long-term medication. Any thoughts?

[Kristie]

I would ask why they prescribed it and what it is trying to do. Some medications treat various things. As with any medication, I too don't like being on them for a long period of time. What is the medication?

[Dedalus]

Thank you for answering Kristie - the medication is called Ramipril - given for high blood pressure, but I was told it will help 'preserve' the kidney - I am supposed to start on 1.25 mg per day for 2 weeks, then go on to 3.00 mg per day for another 2 weeks before going back to the GP for a review. I took only one of these capsules (1.25 mg) a few nights ago (was told to take it before bed) but next day had a blinding headache & felt a bit light-headed so chickened out of taking another because had huge workload that week. My own blood pressure is quite low anyway (which the GP is aware of, but she said we would 'trial' this medication to see how it goes). I really am quite wary of it, and the way it made me feel, so when I found this website, I thought I'd see if anyone else has been prescribed this.

[justagirl]

I had this previously, it didn't make me ill straight away but my blood pressure did drop quite far quite quickly! Maybe go bac to the doctor and tell them about your worries

[Dedalus in reply to justagirl]

Thank you - that's exactly what I am afraid of - will probably try a couple more, just to say I didn't give up at the first hurdle........... again, thank you for replying

[phillen]

my husband has ramipiril (low dose) also it is very good at protecting the heart & kidneys apparently he also has low blood pressure even though he's on dialysis! so sounds about right my mum has taken it for years, its the most commonly prescribed! my father was started on it but his face swelled up & he was allergic to it, so thats worth thinking about too!

but it does sound like its worth a try.

[Dedalus in reply to phillen]

Yes - the upside is that they do protect the kidney; I'm just being woosy (as usual), so as I replied above to justagirl, I will try a couple of nights more and see how I get on - thank you for taking the time to answer.

[GrannyChris]

Hi Dedalus, I have CKD3a, and have been on ACE inhibitors for a number of years. I didn't get on with Ramipril either, so the doctor switched me to the lowest dose of Irbesartan, and I have had no problems with it. Reading the info sheet it does say that 'protects the kidney in impaired kidney function', but whether that is only in high blood pressure, I don't know. Definitely worth going back and having a discussion with your doc. Best wishes xx

[Dedalus in reply to GrannyChris]

I have written down Irbesartan as an alternative, to suggest to the Doctor, as an alternative if I can't carry on with Ramipril - I'm going to bite the bullet and take one tonight and, hopefully, take a second tomorrow night, to give it a fair chance.

Thank you. Thanks to everyone for your replies - they are much appreciated, and just what I needed as a good cross-section to make an informed decision about this.

[pluto94]

I had ramipril prescribed like you it made my blood pressure drop and was getting light headed to start with , If you persist it does stabilize out , Hence the staged dosing of it . I would do as the drs prescribe to preserve you kidney function . Because I can tell you dialysis is not easy going , I find it very draining and feel sick most days after dialysis , despite limiting my fluids to 500ml per day so I only have 1 litre to come off each session .

[Dedalus in reply to pluto94]

Thank you for replying pluto94 - dialysis really does sound even more miserable than I ever dreamed - I'm so sorry you have to go through that - don't know if you are on the waiting list for a transplant, but if you are I hope one comes through soon, and I wish you all the very best - it's definitely a wake-up call so, as I have replied to others, I will try the Ramipril again (headaches & light-headedness are a small price in the face of dialysis) and at least there is an alternative I could try in Irbesartan, as GrannyChris has suggested.

You have all been amazing - thank you so VERY much.

[kirstie43]

Hi sounds like we are in the same boat , I only have one kidney which has been damaged ,so I go to docs for regular check ups , 2 weeks ago doc said I have to go on ramipril for blood pressure , which is fine , I asked why , to be told it is to make my kidney last longer , then I asked how , doc couldn't answer , so I googled it before taking any pills ,I hate taking anything ,I found out the reason why is blood pressure tablets relax the blood vessels ,which. Means it widens them ,so the blood flows around the body easier ,which then helps the kidney and stops it from over working ,so it last longer , which is a good thing , the one thing I will say is on the whole the gp doesn't have a clue and cannot give you the answers you need ,

[Dedalus]

Thanks for that Kirstie - I didn't get any explanations either from the GP; I started the Ramipril last night, after considering all the answers I got on this site, so I am now monitoring my blood pressure to see if it gets too low - it's already dropped quite a bit after only one tablet taken last night, but it's possible it will even itself out after a few days, as Pluto94 mentions, but if not it's back to the GP, suggesting a prescription for Irbesartan, as GrannyChris has mentioned above.

This is a great site, and thank you all very, very much for your VERY helpful replies - now feel much more informed than before.