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Rampiril & High Blood Pressure

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BTJ
BTJ

Hi, I am a 59 year old male, not overweight & physically very fit. After experiencing a couple of dizzy spells at work last year I finally decided to see a GP who immediately prescribed 5mg Amlodipine for sky high BP. Two months later I didn't see much change with my BP but I did notice swelling in my ankles. I stopped taking the medication hoping to reduce my BP by cutting down on coffee & going to yoga classes. This worked for a while but over the space of several months my BP crept back up to unacceptable levels & I went back to the GP. I was prescribed 5mg Rampiril which has had no noticeable side effects. It reduced my BP but not to the target level set by my GP. I am today starting a course of 10mg Rampiril in a bid to reach my target BP of 130/80. It is currently 145/90 after 4 weeks on 5mg Rampiril. I will keep you posted on results & any side effects experienced.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • jane243
    jane243 BTJ

    Posted

    The most usual side effects with Ramipril are a nasty dry cough which if experienced the dr will change you to Losartan or something similar.

    Remember too that you need to take the meds for up to 6 weeks for the full benefit to become apparent.

  • BTJ
    BTJ

    Posted

    After two months on Rampiril, initially 5mg & then increased to 10mg four weeks later, I can report that no adverse effects were experienced. I thought that a dry cough may have occured as this seems to be the most common side effect.  I made sure I was well hydrated by drinking lots of fluids....often hot squash drinks. Rampiril however didn't have the desired effect of reducing my BP & after two months my readings were only marginally lower. I went back to the doc & have been prescribed Telmisartan 80mg. I will let you know how I get on with this medication but for anyone starting Rampiril do not despair...not everyone experiences the much reported side effects.
    • jane243
      jane243 BTJ

      Posted

      If you had no side effects from Ramipril and in any case it hadn't lowered the BP I wonder why  your dr changed you to Telmisartan? I understand it is usual to swop Ramipril to one of the 'artans' if you have the side effects.

       I know someone who has taken Ramipril for years with no side effects; so as you say BTJ it's not inevitable - just very common!  I've never heard of Telmisartan - are you in the UK? I take Losartan myself as I couldn't tolerate Ramipril because of the cough.

       

    • BTJ
      BTJ jane243

      Posted

      Hi Jane, I thought that Telmisartan may have been one of the less prescribed (or even more expensive) BP medications after the pharmacy had to order it in as a special. Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It also works by relaxing blood vessels, which helps to lower blood pressure. I told my GP that Rampiril had not been effective in lowering my BP & Amlodipine had given me swollen ankles. The GP feels I may be genetically predisposed to high BP as I present as a fit & healthy patient. I am fit, active, slim & eat a good balanced diet. Telmisatan is effective in controlling a certain enzyme & the GP is hoping that it may be more effective in getting my BP under control. I read that in trials it gave less side effects than patients on Rampiril. I shall post an update as to how I get on. Telmisartan can be prescibed here in the UK but I suspect it may be a more expensive drug & not prescibed as often. I also read that some athletes have used it to boost performance! Regards.
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