You should know the risks and warnings of Ramipace to prevent its misuse.
There are some specific circumstances under which the use of certain medications is contraindicated or considered dangerous. So when taking any medicine it's always a good practice to familiarize yourself with its risks and warnings.
The risks and warnings associated with Ramipace are:
If you are hypersensitive to ACE inhibitors, do not take Ramipril or any other medicine with a similar generic name, as it can result in a life-threatening condition called anaphylactic shock. Always inform your healthcare provider about the documented allergies you have.
Anaphylactic shock is a rare but severe allergic reaction which if not treated at the right time can be life threatening. It shows the signs and symptoms such as hives, pale skin, labored breathing, itching, excessive salivation, feeling too warm, a weak and rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting, runny nose, sneezing, swollen lips and tongue, wheezing, dizziness, low blood pressure, and tingling hands, feet, mouth, or scalp.
You should take Ramipace during pregnancy only if your health care provider prescribes it. They may decide based on the risk versus benefit ratio. Otherwise, taking ACE inhibitors during pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimester can be injurious to your baby’s health. Women of childbearing age should keep in mind to leave it as soon as they conceive. But before leaving it, you should consult with your healthcare provider. Do not leave it without the permission of your healthcare provider.
Mothers who are breastfeeding their child should take Ramipace only on the advice of their healthcare provider as some of its concentration can be present in breast milk and affect your child’s health.
If you are taking sacubitril, do not take Ramipace with it. Even after stopping it, you must wait for 36 hours to take an ACE inhibitor.
If you have diabetes, do not take Ramipace with medications that contain aliskiren.
-
Conditions that lower blood pressure
If you are on medications like diuretics or having a health condition like diarrhea, volume depletion, heatstroke, or infections that lower blood pressure, take Ramipace with caution, as it can lead to severely low blood pressure that can be life-threatening.
If you have heart diseases like ischemic heart disease or cerebrovascular disease in which blood pressure may fall below normal levels, you should be cautious while taking Ramipace or any other ACE inhibitor. Before taking any medicine that lowers blood pressure, it would be better if you check the blood pressure reading once.
In people with heart failure who have normal blood pressure, taking Ramipace can cause a blood pressure drop. The low blood pressure in patients with heart failure taking Ramipace can adversely affect renal function too. Therefore, you should be cautious while taking an ACE inhibitor if you have heart failure with normal blood pressure.
-
Aortic or mitral valve stenosis
If you have aortic or mitral valve stenosis or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that obstructs the outflow of the left ventricle, ACE inhibitors should be taken with extreme caution.
-
Renal function impairment
Patients with renal impairment must be cautious while taking an ACE inhibitor. Your healthcare provider will test serum creatinine and potassium levels frequently if you take Ramipace with compromised renal functions.
Patients with diabetic nephropathy taking angiotensin II receptor blockers should also not take an ACE inhibitor like Ramipace.
Patients with liver disease should take Ramipace with caution. It is because your liver helps in the metabolism and excretion of drugs. When it does not work efficiently due to any disease, it can cause accumulation of the drug in your body, leading to severe adverse effects. Very rarely, Capoten affects your liver function, causing cholestatic jaundice leading to fulminant jaundice. If it occurs, the healthcare providers will promptly stop the therapy.
Ramipace can cause neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. Therefore, if you are taking other drugs or have any health condition that can alter blood count, you should take it with caution. Your healthcare providers will monitor blood count with Ramipace therapy, especially, if you have altered renal functions. Patients taking drugs like procainamide, allopurinol, or a combination of these, or having diseases like collagen vascular disease should also take Ramipril with caution.
ACE inhibitors have a characteristic side effect of cough due to the build-up of bradykinin in the pulmonary tree. It is a non-productive and persistent cough that resolves upon discontinuation of therapy. If you have a complaint of cough with Ramipace, inform your healthcare provider about it. They will substitute the drug with another.
People undergoing anesthesia may receive agents that lower blood pressure. Therefore ACE inhibitors should only be given if blood pressure needs to be controlled and there is no risk of hypotension. Otherwise, it can lead to a life-threatening condition called shock.
ACE inhibitors cause hyperkalemia- means excess potassium in your blood because it works by inhibiting the release of aldosterone. It can become a life-threatening condition. People taking potassium supplements or having renal impairment, or eating a diet rich in potassium like dates and bananas are at higher risk of developing life-threatening hyperkalemia. To avoid it, you should get your serum potassium levels checked frequently and avoid eating potassium-rich foods.
People who have to undergo a major surgery should exercise caution with Ramipril intake because anesthetic agents can lower blood pressure that can become life-threatening. If you are about to undergo any surgery, tell your physician about the medicines you take and the health conditions you have. They may advise you to leave the last dose of the antihypertensive drug you take.
Diabetic patients receiving oral hypoglycemics or insulin as treatment should take Ramipace with caution, especially in the first month of treatment.
Patients receiving lithium therapy should not take Ramipace. If they have to be administered together, extreme caution should be exercised.
Patients receiving gold injections like sodium aurothiomalate can complain of nitritoid reaction (that causes symptoms like (symptoms include facial flushing, nausea, vomiting, and hypotension) when given ACE inhibitors therapy.
Heparin and cyclosporine can cause hyperkalemia when taken with Ramipace. Serum potassium levels should be monitored closely with their concomitant use.
-
Anticoagulants or bleeding disorders
If you are taking anticoagulants for thinning of your blood, or you have any bleeding disorder, take Ramipace only on the advice of a healthcare provider
