Ramipril: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Ramipril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, also known by the brand name Altace. It is most commonly prescribed to treat hypertension, helping lower high blood pressure and reduce related cardiovascular risk.

It also has uses after a myocardial infarction and for reducing cardiovascular events in certain higher-risk adults. In the United Kingdom, ramipril requires a prescription.

Ramipril is used to treat hypertension, which means high blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, especially strokes and myocardial infarctions. It may be used alone or with a thiazide diuretic.

For certain patients aged 55 years or older who have a high risk of a major cardiovascular event, ramipril can reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes. This includes people with a history of coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, or diabetes together with another cardiovascular risk factor.

Ramipril is also used in stable patients with clinical signs of congestive heart failure after an acute myocardial infarction. In these patients, it can reduce the risk of death, heart-failure-related hospital admission, and progression to severe or resistant heart failure.

Ramipril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, often called an ACE inhibitor. The body normally uses an enzyme system to produce substances that narrow blood vessels and encourage salt and water retention. This system can raise blood pressure and increase the strain on the heart.

Ramipril reduces the activity of this enzyme system. Blood vessels can relax and widen, which lowers resistance to blood flow. The medicine also reduces the production of substances that promote blood vessel tightening and limits some effects that encourage fluid retention.

This can lower blood pressure and reduce the workload on the heart. ACE inhibitors can also affect other natural substances in the body, which helps explain some unwanted effects, such as cough and angioedema.

The label lists 1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg capsules.

The usual starting dose is 2.5 mg once daily for hypertension when a diuretic is not being used. The label lists an initial hypertension dose of 2.5 mg to 20 mg once daily, with a usual maintenance range of 2.5 mg to 20 mg daily, either as one dose or equally divided doses.

The label lists 2.5 mg once daily for 1 week, followed by 5 mg once daily for 3 weeks, then a maintenance dose of 10 mg once daily for cardiovascular risk reduction. The usual starting dose is 2.5 mg twice daily for heart failure after myocardial infarction. The label lists 1.25 mg twice daily if hypotension occurs, with a target dose of 5 mg twice daily when tolerated.

The usual starting dose is 1.25 mg once daily for hypertension or heart failure with renal impairment. The label lists maximum doses of 5 mg daily for hypertension and 2.5 mg twice daily for heart failure in this situation.

A missed dose means a scheduled dose was not taken. General pharmacy advice is to take the missed dose when remembered unless it is nearly time for the next scheduled dose. In that situation, the missed dose is usually skipped and the regular schedule is continued.

A double dose should not be used to make up for a missed dose. Advice from a pharmacist or doctor is appropriate if several doses are missed or if dizziness or fainting occurs.

Ramipril can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. Use during the second and third trimesters can reduce fetal kidney function and may cause low amniotic fluid, fetal lung problems, skeletal deformities, low blood pressure, kidney failure, or death.

When pregnancy is detected, ramipril should be discontinued as soon as possible under medical advice. Ramipril is not recommended in nursing mothers because repeated doses may produce low breast-milk concentrations that cannot be predicted from a single dose.

Store ramipril capsules at 20° to 25°C. Keep them in a well-closed container with a safety closure. Store the capsules as directed on the label and protect them from unsuitable storage conditions to maintain quality.