Ramipril
definition
Ramipril is a prescription drug from a group called ACE inhibitors that is often prescribed for high blood pressure, heart failure, and in the first phase after a heart attack. It is administered in tablet form in a dosage of mostly 10 mg.
Mode of action
As the name suggests, ramipril blocks a specific enzyme in the body that does ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme).
This is a enzyme, which is involved in one of the body's own blood pressure regulation systems, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system RAAS, is involved. The end product of this cascade-like system is the messenger substance Aldosterone, which is responsible for an increase in blood pressure via various mechanisms. Aldosterone leads to reduced excretion of water and constriction of the blood vessels. Both of these increase blood pressure.
By acting as an inhibitor, ramipril disrupts the functioning of this system and, as a result, less aldosterone is produced, this drug lowers blood pressure.
Areas of application
Ramipril is often used as the drug of choice against high blood pressure used.
The effective effect of ramipril, which has relatively few side effects, offers a good therapeutic option for high blood pressure.
The second major area of application is the Heart failure In this clinical picture, the pumping capacity of the heart is reduced and the heart weakened, so that it can often no longer supply the body with sufficient blood and thus oxygen. The antihypertensive effect of the preparation can be made use of because the weakened heart acts against you lower resistance the blood pumps through the body and can do its job better.
In the first phase after a heart attack, ramipril can be prescribed to inhibit the unfavorable structural remodeling of the heart that occurs during this phase. Also for prevention of heart attacks, ramipril has been shown to be effective. In certain cases, ramipril has a positive effect on kidney diseases like the diabetic nephropathy.
Ramipril can be taken alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Combination therapy is often done with calcium channel blockers or diuretics.
Side effects
In general, it can be said that ramipril is a well-researched and well-tolerated drug.
The known side effects include the so-called angioneurotic edema. In rare cases, this can be caused by ramipril and should be reported to a doctor immediately.
The most common reason for switching to other medications such as the AT1 receptor blockers is a harmless one, but extremely uncomfortable and for ACE inhibitors more typical cough.
At the beginning of treatment you can a headache and dizziness occur due to the lower blood pressure, which the body has to get used to.
In addition, the Electrolyte balance intervened so that potassium levels can rise. These should be checked to avoid serious side effects like Cardiac arrhythmias to prevent.
Drug interactions
Unwanted effects during treatment with ramipril can result from the combination with other medications taken.
Caution is advised when taking diuretics at the same timeDiuretics and other blood pressure lowering agents such as Calcium channel blockersthat increase the blood pressure lowering effect.
Some drugs like aspirin or Ibuprofen can make ramipril less effective. However, the prescribing doctor adjusts the doses of the other active substances and checks certain blood values at regular intervals to prevent unwanted interactions.
Dosage form
Ramipril comes in the form of Tablets or Capsules prescribed with an active ingredient amount of 1.25mg to 10mg per tablet.
The dosage depends on many factors and must be set individually by the doctor. The optimally adjusted patient usually only has to one tablet a day take in.
