Ramipril is a medicine widely used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It's also prescribed after a heart attack.
Ramipril helps prevent future strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems.
It works by widening your blood vessels and making it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.
This medicine is available on prescription. It comes as tablets, capsules and as a liquid that you swallow for people who find it difficult to swallow tablets.
Key facts
- Your very first dose of ramipril may make you feel dizzy, so it's best to take it at bedtime.
- Some people get a dry, tickly cough with ramipril. If this happens your doctor might suggest you change to a different medicine.
- If you have severe watery diarrhoea or you're being sick (vomiting) because of a stomach bug or illness, tell your doctor. You may need to stop taking ramipril for a while until you feel better.
- Your doctor will carry out blood tests before you start ramipril, and when your dose changes, to check your kidneys and potassium levels.
- Drinking alcohol can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. It's best not to drink alcohol until you see how ramipril affects you.