Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide
About
Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide belongs to a class of medication called 'anti-hypertensive agents' prescribed alone or in combination with other drugs to lower the raised blood pressure. Hypertension (High blood pressure) is a condition in which the force exerted by the blood against the artery walls becomes so high that it causes health problems, such as heart disease.
Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide contains two medicines: Ramipril (blood pressure-lowering agent) and Hydrochlorothiazide (diuretics or water pills). Ramipril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme or ACE inhibitor that lower increased blood pressure by blocking a naturally occurring substance known as angiotensin II (that tightens your blood vessels). It allows these constricted blood vessels to relax and therefore helps lower high blood pressure. On the other hand, Hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic) works by increasing the amount of urine passed out from the kidneys. It effectively reduces excess fluid overload in the body and treats oedema (swelling) associated with heart, liver, kidney, or lung disease. This reduces the heart's workload and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, both help lower high blood pressure, reducing heart attack or stroke chances.
You can take Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide with a meal or after/before a meal. Your doctor will advise you on the exact dosage and how often you have to take Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide based on your medical condition. Sometimes, you may experience headaches, tiredness, slow heart rate, and nausea. Most of these side effects of Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor. Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide may lower your blood pressure, especially if taken with alcohol. So, avoid driving and operating heavy machinery.
Try not to stop taking this medicine of your own. You should not stop using the Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide even if your blood pressure becomes normal. Doing so may worsen your condition. Tell your doctor if you have had or currently have liver, kidney, or heart problems. Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended in pregnancy and lactation. You should regularly monitor your blood pressure and heart rate. Please tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines or are allergic to Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide. Reducing the amount of table salt (sodium chloride) in your food often relieves the body's swelling.
Uses of Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide
Medicinal Benefits
Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide contains Ramipril and hydrochlorothiazide. Ramipril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that lowers increased blood pressure by blocking a naturally occurring substance known as angiotensin II (that tightens your blood vessels). It allows these constricted blood vessels to relax and therefore helps lower high blood pressure. On the other hand, Hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic) works by increasing the amount of urine passed out from the kidneys. It effectively reduces excess fluid levels in the body and treats oedema (swelling) associated with heart, liver, kidney, or lung disease. This reduces the heart's workload and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, both help lower high blood pressure, reducing the chances of heart attack or stroke. However, Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide does not cure high blood pressure (hypertension) but does help control it. In addition to this, Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide also reduces the physical effects of anxiety.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Being sick
- Mild skin rash
- Blurred vision
- Hypotension
- Nausea (feeling sick)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide should not be given to the people allergic to Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide, have low blood pressure (less than 90 mm of Hg), have had a heart attack, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, are pregnant women, or planning to get pregnant and breastfeeding women. Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide may alter your blood sugar level, so tell your doctor about this before using Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide. Besides this, it is contraindicated in low blood pressure (hypotension), cardiogenic shock (sudden stopping of blood flow to the heart), anuria (patients with nil urine output), and aortic stenosis (heart valve problem). Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide can pass into breast milk, but its effect on the baby is unknown. So, it is better to tell your doctor if you take Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide and breastfeeding. Do not consume alcohol with Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Avoid potassium supplements with Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide as they may lead to high potassium levels in the blood. Regular blood tests and blood pressure monitoring are recommended while taking Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide. Drink a lot of fluids as Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide can cause dehydration, so to avoid unpleasant side effects, increase the intake of fluids.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide may interact with other diuretics, blood pressure-lowering drugs (aliskiren, metoprolol, sacubitril, sacuatorvastatin), anti-epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, phenobarbital), anti-depression medicines (lithium), immune-suppressing drugs (cyclosporine), anti-diabetic drugs (metformin) and painkillers (ibuprofen, aspirin), anti-gout drugs (allopurinol), pain killers (diclofenac, ibuprofen), potassium supplements, birth control pills (drospirenone), immune system affecting drugs (everolimus, sirolimus) etc. If you are taking any of the above, speak with your doctor.
Drug-Food Interactions: You are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide should not be given to people with cardiogenic shock (when the heart fails to pump required blood to the body), heart valve problem (stenosis), low blood pressure (hypotension), coronary heart disease, liver disease, or heart failure, gout, sensitive skin to sunlight, low serum potassium (hypokalemia), patients with nil urine output (anuria), etc.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeRamipril+hydrochlorothiazide may enhance the hypotensive (low blood pressure) effect if alcohol is taken along with. For better advice, you should consult your doctor about whether you can take Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide with alcohol.
Pregnancy
unsafeThe use of Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide or any ACE inhibitors (Ramipril) is usually contraindicated during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. It may cause harm to the developing fetus. Hence, you should always consult your doctor before using Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide.
Breast Feeding
cautionUse of Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended during the breastfeeding stage.
Driving
unsafeDrive with caution, Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide may cause blurry vision, and dizziness or weariness may occur.
Liver
cautionRare elevation in the liver enzymes (like bilirubin) has been observed while taking Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide, so it must be taken with caution. If you have a history of liver diseases/conditions, the dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionRamipril+hydrochlorothiazide to be taken with caution, especially in case of severe kidney disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor. Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide should be given with precaution in hemodialysis condition.
Children
cautionRamipril+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended for children. The safety and effectiveness of Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide have not been established in children due to limited testing of this drug on children by competent authorities worldwide. If necessary, your doctor will decide whether to give Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide or not.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with a body mass index (BMI) of 19.5-24.9.
- 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 lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm Hg.
- Opt for a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy products.
- Limit sodium chloride (table salt) intake in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
- If you are taking alcohol, then only one serving for women and two servings is advisable.
- Quitting smoking is the best strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
- Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spend time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily and if there is too much fluctuation, immediately contact your doctor.
- Including heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid acid-containing foods in your daily diet.
- Use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
- Diagnostic tests like complete blood count (CBC), blood sodium and potassium levels, kidney function, and liver function should be closely monitored while taking treatment with Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide to check for side effects and treatment progress.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Blood pressure is the measurement of the force our heart uses to pump blood to all body parts. Hypertension is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. High blood pressure (hypertension) can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when blood supply to the heart is blocked), brain damage (stroke), and kidney failure. High blood pressure can be diagnosed with the help of a blood pressure monitor or sphygmomanometer. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is when your heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg, and diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60 mm of Hg and 120/80 mm of Hg.
FAQs
Usually, Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide is prescribed for a long-term treatment ranging from weeks to months or for life long also for treating lowering raised blood pressure, swelling due to fluid overload (oedema) and heart-related conditions. However, taking it on your own for years without a doctor's consent can be fatal. Hence, only take it as long as your doctor prescribes it.
Yes, Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide can cause dizziness. It is advised to avoid driving or operating any heavy machinery while taking Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide. In case you feel dizzy or lightheaded, it is recommended to rest for some time until you feel better.
It is advised to continue your medicine even after your blood pressure is under control or becomes normal, as blood pressure can shoot up at any time. If you have any discomfort, please consult your doctor immediately.
If you forget to take Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide at any time, take it as soon as you remember, then continue to take it at the usual times. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
No, it is a prescribed drug given by a physician to prevent specific medical conditions. Taking it on your own can cause unwanted side effects.
Yes, in some cases, Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide may affect your serum potassium level, so consult your doctor before using potassium supplements or its salt substitutes.
Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide should not be used if you have a history of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat (angioedema) and an inability to make urine. Besides this, if you are using alcohol or recreational drugs, do not do hazardous work like driving a motor vehicle or operating heavy machinery. Before going outdoor in the sun, try to wear sunscreen (SPF) and avoid sunlamps and tanning booths as prolonged intake of Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide may cause your skin to be sensitive to the sunlight.
Yes, if you have diabetes, Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide may change your blood sugar level, so check your blood sugar regularly as directed. Tell your doctor if you have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) symptoms like increased thirst/urination or signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) such as sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling hands/feet. Your doctor might adjust your dose of Ramipril+hydrochlorothiazide.
