RAMIPRIL – Altace

Ramipril Used For

Ramipril is indicated for patients who are above 55 years of age and are at high risk of developing a major cardiovascular event due to history of coronary arterial disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, or diabetes that is accompanied by at least one other cardiovascular risk factor (hypertension, elevated total cholesterol levels, low HDL levels, cigarette smoking, or documented microalbuminuria). It is prescribed to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes and for the treatment of hypertension.

Directions for Ramipril medication

For patients with myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular problems, Ramipril Altace should be given at an initial dose of 2.5 mg, once a day for 1 week followed by 5 mg once a day for the next 3 weeks and then increased as tolerated, to a maintenance dose of 10 mg, once a day. If the patient is hypertensive or recently post myocardial infarction, it can also be given as a divided dose. The recommended initial dose for patients with hypertension and not receiving a diuretic is 2.5 mg once a day and can be adjusted according to blood pressure response. The usual maintenance dosage range for hypertension is 2.5 to 20 mg per day administered as a single dose or in two equally divided doses.

How Ramipril drug works

In patients with severe congestive heart failure whose renal function may depend on the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, treatment with Ramipril Altace, may be associated with oliguria and/or progressive azotemia and (rarely) with acute renal failure and/or death. In hypertensive patients with unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenosis, increases in blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine may occur. It is advisable to constantly monitor the above symptoms of such patients while on treatment with Altace.

Ramipril side effects

Like all other medications, Ramipril also has its side effects which include fever, chills, hoarseness, swelling of face, mouth, hands or feet, sudden trouble in swallowing or breathing, stomach pain, itching of skin, yellow eyes or skin, dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, skin rash with or without itching, joint pain, cough, headache, confusion, irregular heartbeat, nervousness, numbness or tingling in hands, feet or lips, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing & weakness or heaviness of legs. In rare cases the medication may also produce diarrhea, loss of taste, nausea and unusual tiredness. It is advisable to consult a physician should any of the above listed side effects become aggravated or persist for an extended period.

Other Ramipril information

When used in pregnancy during the second and third trimesters, ACE inhibitors can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus. Hence it is advisable to discontinue Altace as soon as pregnancy is detected.