Side effects of Ramipril

• By Yatchzee
• Reply 3483593
• October 23, 2012 at 10:36 pm
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Yes, the dry cough is a side effect of ACE inhibitors. I have it from my Lisinipril but, luckily my cough is not too bad.
Joyce

• By Threesacharm
• Reply 3483618
• October 23, 2012 at 10:46 pm
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Yep, I had the cough so came off ramipril for six months. Went back on it a few months ago and this time no cough. Some people take ARB instead of ace inhibitors. Are you also taking a beta blocker?

• By yarnkitty
• Reply 3484144
• October 24, 2012 at 7:34 am
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Yes, I had that problem, primarily at night. It really affected my sleep. I switched to losartan (ARB) instead and had no more problems.

• By Lee_56
• Reply 3484356
• October 24, 2012 at 8:45 am
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Thanks for your replies. Yes, I am also taking Coreg twice a day plus Plavix and Aspirin. If I knew I HAD to take Ramipril and there was nothing else to replace it, I would put up with the cough. But, now that you've said you were switched to another med., I will inquire into this possibility with the cardiologist. Thanks for your help -- love this website.

• By Threesacharm
• Reply 3484506
• October 24, 2012 at 9:25 am
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The ramipril helps with remodelling of the heart. Scar tissue forms around the damaged portion of the heart muscle, this is called remodelling. Because the heart is active, a muscle that is always working (well, we hope so) the response to the damage can be to make too much scar tissue and then the muscle becomes stiff. Ramipril keeps that from happening by mitigating the effect of adrenalin on your heart, the whole sympathetic response thing. So then the question is, does the ARB have the same impact on heart remodelling? Sometimes you take ramipril simply for blood pressure control, but following a heart attack, it's big purpose is to get through the remodelling process without building up too much scar tissue. The other option might be to reduce the amount, you are taking twice what I am taking, but I don't have and never have had high BP. At five months is the process of remodelling finished? Probably not, it is probably more in line with six to twelve months. Certainly questions for your doctor. There are other ace inhibitors though, ramipril plus your other meds are the protocol, but there are lots of options. Beta blocker is also going to impact BP. You might be okay at this point to come off ramipril anyway, I was off at four months.

• By Suzq55
• Reply 3485132
• October 24, 2012 at 12:31 pm
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Yes, ACE inhibitors like lisinopril caused severe coughing in the case of me and both my mother and sister. Mine was so bad I was to the point of violently coughing and gagging with a cold virus. It persisted for a few weeks after my doctor put me on Losartan. Now I'm doing much better. Just give it time for the cough to go away - just a few weeks after stopping the medication. Good luck to you!!

• By LucieCoyote
• Reply 3485471
• October 24, 2012 at 2:14 pm
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I take 2.5mg of Ramipril daily and have had problems with an on again, off again dry cough. I keep cough drops with me and when it happens I use one and it works immediately. I'll put up with the cough if the meds are helping my heart.

• By yarnkitty
• Reply 3485559
• October 24, 2012 at 2:42 pm
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There are several ACE inhibitors to choose from. The evidence seems to support ARB's having similar effectiveness. The remodeling process is continuous as long as the heart is having trouble pumping well enough.

• By Lee_56
• Reply 3485959
• October 24, 2012 at 5:20 pm
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Lucie - I completely agree with you. I take 5 mg. of Ramipril daily and would put up with the cough if it were necessary. Today I spoke to my doctor's nurse and although the doctor is out of town today, she said she'd relay my message and she said there are other meds I could take. So, I will wait until I hear from him. I want all the help I can get so I don't have another heart attack, but this coughing is not a good side effect !

• By Lee_56
• Reply 3493515
• October 27, 2012 at 9:19 am
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update: Doctor has taken me off the Ramipril and substituted it with Micardin (telmisartan). Now, the problem is my insurance provider won't pay for it. Now, the doctor has to see if the insurance co. will make an exception. I suppose if they won't, the doctor will prescribe another one.
The nurse told me it might take up to two mos. for the cough to go away, but it seems better to me already. I hope the insur. will accept this drug, as I don't really want to switch again. (It's very pricey).

• By yarnkitty
• Reply 3494018
• October 27, 2012 at 1:02 pm
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There are other ARB's such as losartan (Cozaar) that are cheaper and more likely to be on your insurance formulary. It should work out ok.

• By Lee_56
• Reply 3499530
• October 29, 2012 at 3:57 pm
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Thanks to all of you for your support & suggestions. The nurse called today and said the doctor said to finish taking the Micardin and that they have sent in a prescription for Losartan (which a couple of you have mentioned). She said that Micardin is so new that it probably isn't on any of the 'lists' yet. When I looked up the side effects of Losartan, it listed a cough as a possible side effect. I actually slept last night without coughing (since I've stopped taking Ramipril), so do hope I don't get the cough with this new one -- Losartan !