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Original poster

Blood pressure - increased dose of ramipril but side effects kicked in

41 replies

historicalnews · 23/01/2023 22:42

I've been on 2.5mg ramipril for 6 years. I can't remember having any side effects when started but can't completely remember. Other than cough has all been fine.
BP has been increasing so told to increase dose to 5mg. Did that yesterday and have had dizziness / headache / very tired. Felt that I can't turn my head etc.
I normally do an exercise class on Monday evening but didn't feel up to it.
Does anyone know if this is likely to wear off after a few days ?
Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
historicalnews · 24/01/2023 07:43

Just bumping

OP posts:
Original poster
historicalnews · 24/01/2023 15:55

Just posting again as still dizzy/heady nauseous today. Day 3 of moving up to 5mg.
Day 1 felt a little 'odd'but nothing significant
Day 2 side effects became more significant as day went on.
Day 3. Had the side effects all day. Really difficult to concentrate at work and feels a bit like sea sickness. Moving pictures difficult to look at and turning head leads to more nausea.

Really hoping there are others who can say 'had that - wore off after few days'

OP posts:
GrazingSheep · 24/01/2023 15:57

Have you been in touch with your gp? I would if I were you.

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 24/01/2023 16:04

Agree contact GP. Do you check your blood pressure regularly? Can you pop to a pharmacy or (better) borrow a machine from a neighbour?

Original poster
historicalnews · 24/01/2023 16:18

Thank you for replying. I've got a blood pressure machine at home.
It's started to go down but hasn't dropped dramatically.
(Ironically I used to have very low blood pressure when I was younger and it doesn't feel like that.)
Interesting that people suggesting contacting GP. I thought everyone would say 'stop moaning and give it a few more days'

OP posts:
Scarbsbeach · 24/01/2023 19:12

You can take your BP medications at night, and sleep through the worst of the side effects. Try talking to your GP about that at the same time as reporting your new side effects, see what they say

IncessantNameChanger · 24/01/2023 19:16

Yes talk to gp, maybe you need up it more slowly? It's good that upur BP hasn't tanked. I remember after I gave birth after having pre eclampsia. When I came down I honestly thought I was dieing! I had to crawl from the bathroom to my bed

User4800 · 24/01/2023 19:19

It's best to take the ramipril late at night, just before you go to bed. It's supposed to be more effective that way. I take 5mg and haven't noticed any symptoms.

Blankscreen · 24/01/2023 19:22

Yes I've just seen an endocrinologist and he has advised to take the meds at night time.

I felt as you described when by BP was high so I would buy yourself a machine and keep an eye on it.

Ok couldn't stand the rampipril cough. It drove me mad.

Original poster
historicalnews · 24/01/2023 19:59

Good to know about taking at night. Will try that.
(I've got a machine at home - it's 144/87 tonight. Had been regularly over 150/90 which is why they said to increase.)

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Scarbsbeach · 24/01/2023 20:03

I forgot mine one night (I’ve been taking it for some years) and took it the following morning - I felt awful all day! Definitely don’t feel anything during the day by taking it at night 👍

Original poster
historicalnews · 24/01/2023 20:11

Thanks @Scarbsbeach. Making me feel less of a lightweight

OP posts:
Sunshineandflipflops · 24/01/2023 20:13

I was on 10mg Ramipril and was fine other than the cough, which is why I changed to a different one. I took it in the morning (never remember to take medication at night and didn’t realise it was best to do that).

I would suggest talking to your gp or pharmacist. My pharmacist actually rings me a few days after starting new medication to check no side effects.

User4800 · 24/01/2023 20:25

It's interesting to hear about the side effects though. I've started suffering from vertigo. Maybe it's connected.

Original poster
historicalnews · 24/01/2023 20:26

That's very good service from pharmacist !
(I find the cough irritating but as I was only on 2.5mg it wasn't too bad.)

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Mindymomo · 24/01/2023 20:32

My DH is on 2.5 mg Ramipril that he takes evenings and 1.25 mg Bisoprolol that he takes in the morning. I’ve been on about 4 different meds for blood pressure over the years. I have found if you get side affects they don’t seem to go, so contact GP and ask to try something else. I put up with swollen ankles once for about 4 weeks when I first started taking medication, GP said I should have asked for something else sooner.

AnnaMagnani · 24/01/2023 20:41

Take your BP lying down, after you have been flat for about 10 mins. Then stand up and check it again standing up.

There shouldn't be much difference but if you are feeling dizzy you may well find there is a drop when you stand up.

Either way, if you have a cough on the ramipril, you should get switched anyway as there is a cough-free alternative.

Original poster
historicalnews · 24/01/2023 21:06

That's interesting that the side effects don't seem to reduce for you. I'm trying to be optimistic but might be that I end up needing to change.
(I'll try that with standing - although I don't think BP dropping when I stand up. I used to have that when I had low blood pressure and it felt very different. For me that was like a very sudden dizziness with stars in the eyes which would then ease - whereas as this is more like light headedness but there all the time. )

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Original poster
historicalnews · 24/01/2023 21:08

Ps I do realise that people have real serious illnesses going on Blush.
Strange how a relatively small thing can have such a big impact

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Sunshineandflipflops · 26/01/2023 10:42

I first started on Amlodipine, which gave e swollen ankles, then Ramipril, which have me an annoying night time cough and am now on another one, which (touch wood) I don't seem to have any side effects from! It's been trial and error.

Original poster
historicalnews · 26/01/2023 20:58

Glad you've found a solution. I hadn't realised how much trial and error involved for lots of people.

OP posts:
bellac11 · 26/01/2023 21:02

Ive had terrible problems with mine. Im on candersarten but it seems still high. I got a machine, the measurements were all over the shop. The GP told me not to bother with a home machine, he and most professionals only seem to get reliable results from non digital machines, often it just wont read me. Th e24 hour machine wouldnt work on me so I couldnt use it

Ive been on a number of other ones and they either made me dizzy, terrible swollen ankles where I couldnt get my shoes on, vertigo etc.

I admit Im not taking what was prescribed and just the candersarten on its own.

NoNotHimTheOtherOne · 26/01/2023 22:17

Have you told your GP you have a persistent cough? You should have been switched to candesartan (or another angiotensin receptor blocker) because of the cough anyway.

Original poster
historicalnews · 27/01/2023 12:39

Yes we have discussed the cough - because it's not too bad decided to stick with this for now because aware that they can all have side effects.
I think dizziness but better yesterday and today. Keeping fingers crossed that it all settles

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Crikeyalmighty · 27/01/2023 14:49

I take just beta blockers 2.5 (Bisoprolol) and statin (avortastatin) and I only take the statin 3 times a week- every single ACE or channel blocker blood pressure pill and statin gave me pins and needles and weird dizziness /light headed ness to the effect that it was giving me huge anxiety . Only thing I've been able to tolerate was low dose beta blockers and statins several times a week - my blood pressure though is now just at the slightly elevated end of normal and same with my cholesterol - which was very high. I have however radically changed diet - I feel for you though because you start to think what symptoms are actually high Bp and cholesterol and what are caused by the drugs