Ramipril+chlorthalidone
About
Ramipril+chlorthalidone belongs to the class of 'anti-hypertensive drugs' primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Hypertension is a medical condition, in which the blood exerts high pressure (force exerted by circulating blood) against blood vessel's walls. This condition makes the heart to work harder in pumping the blood to the whole body. Hypertension can cause severe health complications, including stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure.
Ramipril+chlorthalidone consists of two medicines: Ramipril (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) and Chlorthalidone (water pill). Ramipril belongs to the class of 'Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors' which help relaxes and widens the blood vessels making it easier for the heart to pump blood throughout the body, thereby lowering the raised blood pressure. On the other hand, Chlorthalidone belongs to diuretics (water pill) which reduces excess water and salts (electrolytes) amount in the body by increasing the urine output inhibits, thereby decreasing fluid buildup and swelling. Which relaxes the blood vessels and improve the blood flow.
Your doctor will advise you how often you take Ramipril+chlorthalidone based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience tiredness, stomach upset, dehydration, dizziness, dry mouth, weakness, nausea and diarrhoea, taste changes. Most of these side effects of Ramipril+chlorthalidone do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, please reach out to your doctor.
Do not stop taking Ramipril+chlorthalidone without consulting your doctor since it may worsen your condition and increase the risk of future heart problems. Inform your doctor if you are suffering from kidney, liver or heart diseases. Please tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines or have any allergic reactions to Ramipril+chlorthalidone. Reducing the amount of table salt (sodium chloride) in your food often relieves the body's swelling. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please tell your doctor before starting Ramipril+chlorthalidone. Ramipril+chlorthalidone may cause dizziness; hence drive only when you are alert. Avoid intake of alcohol since it leads to excessive sleepiness with Ramipril+chlorthalidone.
Uses of Ramipril+chlorthalidone
Medicinal Benefits
Ramipril+chlorthalidone consists of two medicines: Ramipril (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) and Chlorthalidone (water pill). Ramipril belongs to the class of 'Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors' which help relaxes and widens the blood vessels making it easier for the heart to pump blood throughout the body, thereby lowering the raised blood pressure. On the other hand, Chlorthalidone belongs to diuretics (water pill) which reduces excess water and salts (electrolytes) amount in the body by increasing the urine output inhibits, thereby decreasing fluid buildup and swelling. Which relaxes the blood vessels and improve the blood flow. It effectively treats high blood pressure, fluid retention in patients with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis (chronic damage) of the liver, kidney disorders, or oedema caused by steroids or oestrogen (female hormone) therapy.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ramipril+chlorthalidone
- Tiredness
- Stomach upset
- Dizziness
- Dehydration
- Dry mouth
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Taste changes
- Electrolyte imbalance
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not use Ramipril+chlorthalidone if you are allergic to Ramipril+chlorthalidone or any of its components. Let your doctor know if you have any history of heart, kidney or liver diseases, high potassium levels (hyperkalaemia), low potassium levels (hypokalaemia), diabetes, electrolyte imbalance, asthma, lupus (an autoimmune disease), gout and thyroid disorders before starting Ramipril+chlorthalidone. Ramipril+chlorthalidone is not recommended during pregnancy since it has harmful effects on the unborn baby. Chlorthalidone in Ramipril+chlorthalidone passes into the breast milk during breastfeeding. Hence, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Ramipril+chlorthalidone if you are a nursing mother. Ramipril+chlorthalidone can increase the chances of light-headedness and dizziness, so rise slowly if you are sitting/lying. Avoid operating any machine or doing any work that needs mental alertness. It is advised to avoid alcohol consumption while using Ramipril+chlorthalidone to prevent sleepiness and dizziness. Ramipril+chlorthalidone is not recommended for use in patients younger than 18 years of age.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Ramipril+chlorthalidone may interact with other blood pressure-lowering drugs (aliskiren, losartan, valsartan, telmisartan, sacubitril), drugs treating mood disorders (lithium), stomach-related drugs (cisapride), drugs treating abnormal heart rhythms (dofetilide), immunosuppressants (sirolimus, everolimus) and birth control pills (drospirenone).
Drug-Food Interaction: Ramipril+chlorthalidone may interact or may have decreased effect when used with alcohol. Please avoid high-potassium foods and supplements since Ramipril may cause high potassium levels in your blood.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Before using Ramipril+chlorthalidone, let your doctor know if you have any heart, kidney or liver diseases, high potassium levels (hyperkalaemia), low potassium levels (hypokalaemia), diabetes, electrolyte imbalance, asthma, lupus (an autoimmune disease), gout and thyroid disorders.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is recommended to avoid alcohol consumption whilst taking Ramipril+chlorthalidone to prevent side effects like increased dizziness and drowsiness.
Pregnancy
unsafeRamipril in Ramipril+chlorthalidone is a pregnancy D category drug and is not recommended during pregnancy since it causes harmful effects on the baby. However, it is advised to seek medical advice before using Ramipril+chlorthalidone if you plan to conceive or pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere are limited studies on how Ramipril+chlorthalidone affects the breastfed infants. However, Chlorthalidone in Ramipril+chlorthalidone passes into the breast milk during breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor before using Ramipril+chlorthalidone if you are a lactating mother.
Driving
unsafeRamipril+chlorthalidone may cause side effects, such as dizziness or tiredness. If you feel dizzy or tired when taking this medicine, do not drive or operate any machines until you are alert and focused.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before using Ramipril+chlorthalidone. However, Ramipril+chlorthalidone is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before using Ramipril+chlorthalidone. Also, let your doctor know if you are undergoing dialysis treatment before starting Ramipril+chlorthalidone.
Children
unsafeSafety and efficacy of Ramipril+chlorthalidone have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with body mass index (BMI) between 19.5 and 24.9.
- Do regular physical activity or exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week. Doing this can help you to lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm of Hg.
- Limit sodium chloride intake (table salt) in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
- If you are taking alcohol, use only one serving for women and two servings for men.
- Quit smoking to lower the risk of heart diseases.
- Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spent time with your loved ones to cope with stress.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily, and if you notice any fluctuations frequently, please contact your doctor immediately.
- Try including heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acid-containing foods in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oils like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly and seek medical advice if you notice any drastic fluctuations.
- Ramipril+chlorthalidone may affect patients with hepatic impairment, and hence it should be used cautiously. Liver function tests are advised to monitor liver enzyme changes.
- Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is advised in diabetic patients while using Ramipril+chlorthalidone.
- Your doctor may advise you to get a regular kidney function test, and blood examinations for potassium levels and other electrolytes while using Ramipril+chlorthalidone to rule out any renal impairment.
- Thyroid function tests are advised to keep a check on your thyroid gland health.
- Thiazide diuretics like Chlorthalidone may increase serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Hence it is advised to monitor your cholesterol levels regularly.
- Chlorthalidone in Ramipril+chlorthalidone may interfere with certain lab tests like parathyroid test and protein-bound iodide test, hence mention that you are using Ramipril+chlorthalidone in advance to the laboratory staff.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. Blood pressure is defined as the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the amount of resistance exerted by the arteries against the blood flow. If the heart pumps more blood, then arteries become narrower, and in turn, blood pressure becomes high. If blood pressure becomes uncontrolled, it may lead to serious heart diseases, including stroke and heart attack. Additionally, high blood pressure can also cause brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. Blood pressure is expressed as systolic and diastolic pressures. Systolic blood pressure represents the contraction and relaxation of the heart. Diastolic pressure is exerted in the blood vessels when the heart beats and is in the resting state. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. Hypertension is detected when systolic blood pressure is more than 140mmHg, and diastolic pressure is higher than 90mmHg. Some of the symptoms of hypertension include headache, nose bleed, vomiting, chest pain, etc.
FAQs
Ramipril+chlorthalidone works by relaxing and widening the blood vessels to make the heart pump blood easily throughout the body and also prevents fluid retention due to excess salts build-up, thereby lowering the raised blood pressure.
Ramipril+chlorthalidone is recommended to use in dose and duration as advised by the doctor. Do not stop taking Ramipril+chlorthalidone on your own as it may lead to a sudden rise in blood pressure and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Ramipril+chlorthalidone can cause dizziness as one of its side effects. If you feel dizzy, try getting up slowly from a sitting or lying position. If your dizziness is severe or unmanageable, please seek medical advice.
Chlorthalidone in Ramipril+chlorthalidone may affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Hence, it is advised to continuously monitor your sugar levels while taking Ramipril+chlorthalidone. Your doctor may adjust the dose accordingly. Please seek medical advice for more information before starting Ramipril+chlorthalidone.
Even though your blood pressure becomes normal after using Ramipril+chlorthalidone, it may switch back to high ranges if you stop using it. Your doctor may change the dosing schedule based on your blood pressure range.
Ramipril+chlorthalidone can cause dehydration. It is advised to drink plenty of fluids and avoid hard exercises and sports to prevent dehydration. If you experience extreme thirst and dry mouth for a longer period, please seek medical advice.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.
