On Ramipril For High Blood Pressure. Will It Be Safe To Stop Medicine?

Posted on Thu, 16 Aug 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 Answered on

Mon, 3 Sep 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I take rapipril for high blood pressure but no other medication. I was put on this tablet five months ago as all medications were reviewed by the surgery and this was the one that apparently best suited to me althoug I had not been having any problems with the previous medication. I suspect it is cheaper. However I really don't like the side effects and would like to stop taking medication altogether. I feel I was rushed into taking it in the first place. I will go and see my dr but wonder if I started to take it every other day in the meantime would that be OK with a view to weaning of it altogether.

Answered by Dr. Mayank Bhargava (51 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for posting your query.
As you have positive family history of cardiac disease you should take prescribed medicines properly.
Ramipril (a ACE inhibitor) is most suitable and frequently prescribed medication. In helps in remodeling of heart which is beneficial factor for cardiac patient.
But ramipril is associated with multiple side effects.
You can take medicines from ARB's group i.e. Losartan/ Telmisartan/ olmesartan/ valsartan. All these medications have the similar effects with minimal side effects.
If there is requirement of medicine for control of blood pressure then it should be taken regularly and on daily basis. Raised blood pressure will slowly damage your kidney and you may face problem in future.
Worldwide, raised blood pressure and blood sugar are the commonest cause of Chronic kidney disease.
Put your query if you have.
Best regards,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar