Ramipril

What is Ramipril?

Ramipril is a capsule treatment for hypertension. It’s an ACE inhibitor, a type of medication that relaxes your blood vessels and allows them to widen. This helps blood pump around your body more easily and can lower your blood pressure.

Who is Ramipril for?

ACE inhibitors like Ramipril tend to be recommended for adults with high blood pressure who: 

• are under 55; or:
• have a secondary condition like diabetes or coronary artery disease.

For over 55s who don’t have a secondary condition, calcium channel blockers (like Amlodipine or Felodipine) are usually preferred.^[1]

How does Ramipril work?

Ramipril works by widening your blood vessels. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, can damage and narrow your arteries. The force of your blood against your artery walls can then become too high, and blood flow is reduced.

Unmanaged hypertension can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke, and can lead to vascular dementia and kidney disease. Taking Ramipril daily can help to reduce your blood pressure, which can improve your overall heart health. 

How effective is Ramipril?

One study showed that 10mg of Ramipril daily, when used over a period of 4.5 years, can reduce vascular events including strokes and heart attacks. The same study, called the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE), also found that Rampril was effective at preventing new diagnoses of diabetes in people with preserved ventricular function, a condition commonly associated with heart failure.^[3] 

Does Ramipril come in different doses? 

Ramipril is available in four doses: 1.25mg, 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg. 

You’ll usually be started on the lowest dose to see if this helps improve your hypertension. When you’re prescribed Ramipril, you’ll also be encouraged to try and adopt some lifestyle habits that can reduce your blood pressure naturally, such as eating healthier and exercising more. 

Who can use Ramipril?

Ramipril is suitable for adults, aged 18 or over, with high blood pressure. 

Factors like age, ethnicity, and a family history of hypertension are all risk factors for developing the condition. But unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as a diet containing lots of salty foods or foods high in saturated fat, drinking alcohol or smoking, can also increase your chances of your blood pressure being too high.^[2]

How to take Ramipril

You should take Ramipril exactly as you’ve been advised by your physician.

The 1.25mg capsule is the usual starting dose.

Swallow the capsule whole. Ramipril can be taken with or without water, but you should aim to take it at the same time every day. This lowers the risk of mistakes, such as missing a dose or taking more than one capsule a day.

How long does Ramipril take to work?

Ramipril starts to work in your system soon after you’ve taken a capsule, which is usually around two to four hours. But it might be a few weeks before you start to see the full effects of it.

Your doctor will want you to check your blood pressure often, to see if Ramipril is working. You can do this yourself at home, with a blood pressure monitor, but they might also want you to visit their surgery regularly for check-ups.