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Ramipril

About ramipril

Ramipril is a medicine widely used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It's also prescribed after a heart attack.

Ramipril helps prevent future strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems. It also improves your survival if you're taking it for heart failure or after a heart attack.

This medicine is available on prescription. It comes as tablets, capsules and as a liquid that you swallow.

NHS coronavirus advice

If you have coronavirus, or think you might have it, keep taking your blood pressure medicines as usual.

There is no clear evidence that taking angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors like ramipril will cause complications.

Updated: 17 March 2020

Key facts

  • Ramipril lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.
  • Your very first dose of ramipril may make you feel dizzy, so it's best to take it at bedtime. After that you can take ramipril at any time of day.
  • Some people get a dry, irritating cough with ramipril.
  • If you get severe diarrhoea or vomiting from a stomach bug or illness, tell your doctor. You may need to stop taking ramipril for a while until you feel better.
  • Drinking alcohol can increase the blood pressure-lowering effect of ramipril, which can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
  • Ramipril is also called by the brand name Tritace.

Who can and cannot take ramipril

Ramipril can be taken by adults aged 18 and over.

If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar (glucose) more often, particularly in the first few weeks.

This is because ramipril can lower the sugar level in your blood.

Ramipril is not suitable for everyone.

To make sure ramipril is safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

  • have had an allergic reaction to ramipril or any other medicine in the past
  • are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or you're breastfeeding
  • are having dialysis or any other type of blood filtration
  • have heart, liver or kidney problems
  • have unstable or low blood pressure
  • have diabetes
  • are going to have a major operation (surgery) or general anaesthetic to put you to sleep
  • have recently had any diarrhoea or vomiting
  • are on a low-salt diet
  • are going to have desensitisation treatment to reduce your allergy to insect stings
  • have a blood problem such as low white blood cell count (neutropenia or agranulocytosis)

How and when to take ramipril

It's usual to take ramipril once or twice a day.

You may be advised to take your first dose before bedtime, because it can make you dizzy.

After the very first dose, you can take ramipril at any time during the day.

Try to take it at the same time every day.

You can take ramipril with or without food. Swallow ramipril tablets or capsules whole with a drink.

If you're taking ramipril as a liquid, it'll come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure out the right dose.

If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.

Dosage

The dose of ramipril you take depends on why you need the medicine. Take it as instructed by your doctor.

To decide the correct dose for you, your doctor will check your blood pressure and ask you if you're getting any side effects.

You may also have blood tests to check how well your kidneys are working and the amount of potassium in your blood.

Depending on why you're taking ramipril, the usual starting dose is between 1.25mg once a day and 2.5mg twice a day.

This will be increased gradually over a few weeks to a usual dose of:

  • 2.5mg to 5mg once a day for high blood pressure
  • 5mg twice a day or 10mg once a day for heart failure or after a heart attack

If you're bothered by side effects with ramipril, you may stay on a lower dose.

The maximum dose is 5mg twice a day or 10mg once a day.

Will my dose go up or down?

You will probably be prescribed a low dose of ramipril at first so it does not make you feel dizzy.

This will usually be increased gradually until you reach the right dose for you.

The first time you may be prescribed a pack that contains tablets of 3 different strengths of ramipril (2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg).

Your doctor will tell you which strength to take, how often to take it, and when or if you need to increase your dose.

Important

Take ramipril even if you feel well, as you will still be getting the benefits of the medicine.

What if I get ill while I'm taking it?

If you get severe diarrhoea or vomiting for any reason, stop taking ramipril.

When you're able to eat and drink normally, wait for 24 to 48 hours, then start to take it again.

If you have questions about this, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

What if I forget to take it?

If you miss a dose of ramipril, leave out that dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten dose.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you.

You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

What if I take too much?

If you take too many ramipril tablets by accident, contact your doctor or go to your your nearest A&E straight away.

An overdose of ramipril can cause dizziness, sleepiness and a pounding heartbeat.

The amount of ramipril that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.

Side effects

Like all medicines, ramipril can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones.

Side effects often improve as your body gets used to the medicine.

Common side effects

These common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:

  • a dry, tickly cough that does not go away
  • feeling dizzy or lightheaded, especially when you stand up or sit up quickly (this is more likely to happen when you start taking ramipril or move on to a higher dose)
  • headaches
  • diarrhoea and being sick (vomiting)
  • a mild skin rash
  • blurred vision

Serious side effects

It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects after taking ramipril.

Call a doctor straight away if you get:

  • yellow skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow – this can be a sign of liver problems
  • paleness, feeling tired, faint or dizzy, any sign of bleeding (like bleeding from the gums and bruising more easily), sore throat, a high temperature and getting infections more easily – these can be signs of a blood or bone marrow disorder
  • a faster heart rate, chest pain and tightness in your chest – these can be signs of heart problems
  • shortness of breath, wheezing and tightening of the chest – these can be signs of lung problems
  • severe stomach pain – this can be a sign of an inflamed pancreas
  • swollen ankles, blood in your pee or not peeing at all – these can be signs of kidney problems
  • weak arms and legs or problems speaking – these can be signs of a stroke

If you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, phone 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, ramipril may cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

These are not all the side effects of ramipril. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

How to cope with side effects

What to do about:

  • a dry irritating cough – cough medicines do not usually help for coughs caused by ramipril. Sometimes the cough gets better on its own. Talk to your doctor if it carries on, bothers you or stops you sleeping, as another medicine may be better. Even if you stop taking ramipril, the cough may take a few days to a month to go away.
  • feeling dizzy – if ramipril makes you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you do not faint, then sit until you feel better.
  • headaches – make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe.
  • diarrhoea and being sick (vomiting) – drink plenty of fluids, such as water or squash, to prevent dehydration. If you're being sick, take small, frequent sips of fluid. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea or vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor. If you get diarrhoea or vomiting from a stomach bug or illness, tell your doctor. You may need to temporarily stop taking ramipril until you feel better.
  • itching or a mild rash – it may help to take an antihistamine, which you can buy from a pharmacy. Check with the pharmacist to see what type is suitable for you.
  • blurred vision – avoid driving or using tools or machines while this is happening. If it lasts for more than a day or two, speak to your doctor as they may need to change your treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Ramipril is not normally recommended in pregnancy or when breastfeeding.

But it may be prescribed if your doctor thinks the benefits of the medicine outweigh the risks.

If you're planning a pregnancy or already pregnant, talk to your doctor about the benefits and possible harms of taking ramipril.

These will depend on how many weeks pregnant you are and the reason you need to take it. There may be other treatments that are safer for you.

For more information about how ramipril can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, read this leaflet on the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website.

Ramipril and breastfeeding

Small amounts of ramipril may get into breast milk. This can cause low blood pressure in the baby.

Talk to your doctor, as other medicines might be better while you're breastfeeding.

Cautions with other medicines

There are some medicines that may affect the way ramipril works.

Tell your doctor if you're taking:

  • anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen, indomethacin or aspirin for pain relief (low-dose aspirin – 75mg a day is safe to take with ramipril)
  • medicines to treat low blood pressure, heart failure, asthma or allergies, such as ephedrine, noradrenaline or adrenaline
  • medicines for high blood pressure, such as aliskeren
  • medicines that can lower your blood pressure, such as some antidepressants, nitrates (for chest pain), baclofen (a muscle relaxant), anaesthetics or medicines for an enlarged prostate gland
  • medicines to damp down your immune system, such as ciclosporin or tacrolimus
  • medicines that make you pee more, such as furosemide
  • medicines that can increase the amount of potassium in your blood, such as spironolactone, triamterene, amiloride, potassium supplements, trimethoprim (for infections) and heparin (for thinning blood)
  • steroid medicines, such as prednisolone
  • allopurinol (for gout)
  • procainamide (for heart rhythm problems)
  • medicines for diabetes
  • racecadotril (for diarrhoea)
  • lithium (for mental health problems)

Mixing ramipril with herbal remedies or supplements

There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with ramipril.

Common questions

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

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994 public posts

Ramipril

Hi I was put on ramipril in October I had some calf discomfort when walking although told me it was borderline but the description given sounded like pads. Upton that point I never had any issues.
Hi I was put on ramipril in October I had some calf discomfort when walking although told me it was borderline but the description given sounded like pads. Upton that point I never had any issues.
stevieR74
in British Heart Foundation

New to Hypertension, some assistance please

I was prescribed Amlodipine but that didn't reduce low enough so have now been given Ramipril too. I feel awful since taking Ramipril, at least I'm assuming it's that? My eyes feel 'fluttery', headache, stomach ache.
I was prescribed Amlodipine but that didn't reduce low enough so have now been given Ramipril too. I feel awful since taking Ramipril, at least I'm assuming it's that? My eyes feel 'fluttery', headache, stomach ache.
liz1952
in British Heart Foundation

Ramipril & Asthma??

I've been taking ramipril for about 7 days had to come off them, I've just read that ramipril isn't recommended for people with asthma!! Omg!! I can't believe doctors don't check your notes etc before prescribing medication!!
I've been taking ramipril for about 7 days had to come off them, I've just read that ramipril isn't recommended for people with asthma!! Omg!! I can't believe doctors don't check your notes etc before prescribing medication!!
Lindadoodie
in British Lung Foundation
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Carpbait

Been on the side lane of late, however I have been watching questions and responses, the latest is Bisoprolol, I am on 10mg a day, plus Ramipril 10mg a day, advised to have bisoprolol morning Ramipril night, been on this dosage since release from hospital after H/A in 2019, never had a medication review
Been on the side lane of late, however I have been watching questions and responses, the latest is Bisoprolol, I am on 10mg a day, plus Ramipril 10mg a day, advised to have bisoprolol morning Ramipril night, been on this dosage since release from hospital after H/A in 2019, never had a medication review
Carpbait
in British Heart Foundation

Side effects of amlodipine

I’m just wondering if it would help to take the amlodipine in the morning and the ramipril at night?
I’m just wondering if it would help to take the amlodipine in the morning and the ramipril at night?
Liz3
in High Blood Pressure Support

Pins and needles!

Hi All, has anybody had experience with pins and needles on Ramipril? I am convinced it’s the medication although Doctor says ‘highly unlikely’.
Hi All, has anybody had experience with pins and needles on Ramipril? I am convinced it’s the medication although Doctor says ‘highly unlikely’.
Lisa2004
in British Heart Foundation

Ramipril cough.

I started on Ramipril Christmas Eve, just a low dose 1.25mg. The dose increased on the 7th January to 2.5mg, which seems to be helping. Since the increase , have had this cough, which I know is a side effect. Has anyone had it and does it eventually go, without stopping the Ramipril?
I started on Ramipril Christmas Eve, just a low dose 1.25mg. The dose increased on the 7th January to 2.5mg, which seems to be helping. Since the increase , have had this cough, which I know is a side effect. Has anyone had it and does it eventually go, without stopping the Ramipril?
Dearheart34
in AF Association

Relationship between Ramipril and cluster migraine

Prior to taking Ramipril Attacks lasted 2-3 days. Has anyone else had this experience ?
Prior to taking Ramipril Attacks lasted 2-3 days. Has anyone else had this experience ?
Mitsubachi24
in High Blood Pressure Support

Teva ingredients in Ramipril 5mg for hypertension, anyone?

I was recently given Teva brand Ramipril and after a few days the symptoms I get when I used to have Teva levo, reared their ugly heads. I have tried to find the ingredients of the Teva Ramipril to see if it contains fillers the same as in the levothyroxine but so far, without success.
I was recently given Teva brand Ramipril and after a few days the symptoms I get when I used to have Teva levo, reared their ugly heads. I have tried to find the ingredients of the Teva Ramipril to see if it contains fillers the same as in the levothyroxine but so far, without success.
grumpyold
in Thyroid UK

Ramipril side effects.

I’ve been on 5mg Ramipril for the last three years. Generally I’ve been ok. But I have bouts of rapid heart rate, and I feel out of sorts for most of the time. My latest delivery of meds, was missing the Ramipril, so I’ve been forced to go without for three days.
I’ve been on 5mg Ramipril for the last three years. Generally I’ve been ok. But I have bouts of rapid heart rate, and I feel out of sorts for most of the time. My latest delivery of meds, was missing the Ramipril, so I’ve been forced to go without for three days.
Bennydog42
in British Heart Foundation

Start of my Enstresto Meds

I start my enstresto medication today replacing ramipril for heart failure. I just wanted to ask what is its like taking them in replacement of ramipril.
I start my enstresto medication today replacing ramipril for heart failure. I just wanted to ask what is its like taking them in replacement of ramipril.
Khan29uk
in British Heart Foundation

Ramipril is it ok if you have Tinnitus

Hi Does anyone use Ramipril i am worried it will make the Tinnitus worse only 2.5mg but has anyone had any issues thanks
Hi Does anyone use Ramipril i am worried it will make the Tinnitus worse only 2.5mg but has anyone had any issues thanks
Gill_81
in British Tinnitus Association

Runny Nose

I am on Lansaprozole, Asprin, Coliprogrel, 10mg Avortastatin, Ososobide Mononitrate and Ramipril.
I am on Lansaprozole, Asprin, Coliprogrel, 10mg Avortastatin, Ososobide Mononitrate and Ramipril.
A1N2
in AF Association

Atrial flutter

One Doctor thought I had atrial flutter and another said it could be something called re entry , I take bisoprolol, ramipril and warfarin. Have anyone heard of re entry ?
One Doctor thought I had atrial flutter and another said it could be something called re entry , I take bisoprolol, ramipril and warfarin. Have anyone heard of re entry ?
Overseventy
in AF Association

Help

Hello my name is jackie aged 51 had breast cancer in 2018 had chemo and radiotherapy which has caused hf now on bisoprolol and ramipril I don't know what the outlook is and I am so petrified
Hello my name is jackie aged 51 had breast cancer in 2018 had chemo and radiotherapy which has caused hf now on bisoprolol and ramipril I don't know what the outlook is and I am so petrified
macc1234
in British Heart Foundation

Ramipril.....lung and heart

I was on Ramipril 2 X 2.5mg doses a day but since been in hospital I have found they just put me in to AF. I know they are a blood pressure lowering medicine but my BP is normal with a tendancy to go low. Is there anyone else out there going through a similar thing?
I was on Ramipril 2 X 2.5mg doses a day but since been in hospital I have found they just put me in to AF. I know they are a blood pressure lowering medicine but my BP is normal with a tendancy to go low. Is there anyone else out there going through a similar thing?
Festie
in British Lung Foundation

Amlodipine

Hi to all who replied to my post, the doctor has taken me off amlpodine & I'm going onto Ramipril, hope I'm OK on these? She said I had amlpodine in 2019 & had to stop then?? Do why put me on it again? 🙄
Hi to all who replied to my post, the doctor has taken me off amlpodine & I'm going onto Ramipril, hope I'm OK on these? She said I had amlpodine in 2019 & had to stop then?? Do why put me on it again? 🙄
Lindadoodie
in British Lung Foundation

Echo test results.

After recent Echo, results are 44%EF..mid/moderate HF stage 1 NYHA, ramipril being upped to 10mg daily and refer to HF nurses. Before I talk to GP anybody had something similar and can advise. Ta.
After recent Echo, results are 44%EF..mid/moderate HF stage 1 NYHA, ramipril being upped to 10mg daily and refer to HF nurses. Before I talk to GP anybody had something similar and can advise. Ta.
pjw17
in British Heart Foundation

Side effect of Ramipril?

I have heard that this can be a side effect of Ramipril but when I spoke to my GP he more or less said he was reluctant to change to an alternative blood pressure med from an ace inhibitor(Ramipril) so lets just see how it goes! Get back in touch in a month... Anyone else out there heard of this?
I have heard that this can be a side effect of Ramipril but when I spoke to my GP he more or less said he was reluctant to change to an alternative blood pressure med from an ace inhibitor(Ramipril) so lets just see how it goes! Get back in touch in a month... Anyone else out there heard of this?
WeeLucy
in AF Association

High blood pressure symptoms question

I started ramipril 1.5mg last night. Just wondering if I should do anything about how I feel or see how I go?
I started ramipril 1.5mg last night. Just wondering if I should do anything about how I feel or see how I go?
Saycheesemalone
in British Heart Foundation
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