Ramipril Winthrop (Ramipril)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Ramipril Winthrop Used For?
Ramipril Winthrop contains ramipril, an ACE inhibitor that helps widen your blood vessels and reduce pressure, making it easier for your heart to pump blood throughout your body.
Primary Uses
Ramipril Winthrop treats high blood pressure (hypertension), heart failure following a heart attack, kidney problems caused by diabetes or high blood pressure, and helps prevent cardiovascular problems in patients aged 55 or older who have heart disease, circulation problems, or stroke risk factors.
How It Works
Ramipril works by widening blood vessels, which reduces pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood. This increases oxygen supply to your heart, reduces heart stress, and improves blood flow through kidney vessels, helping them work more efficiently.
How to Take Ramipril Winthrop
Take Ramipril Winthrop at the same time each day, swallowed whole with plenty of fluid. It can be taken with or without food.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will determine your dose. Typical doses are: High blood pressure: 2.5 to 10 mg per day; Heart failure: 5 to 10 mg per day; Kidney problems: 1.25 to 5 mg per day; Cardiovascular risk prevention: 2.5 to 10 mg per day. Some patients may need lower starting doses.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Feeling light-headed, dizzy, or faint
- Dry cough
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Loss of taste or taste changes
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Muscle cramps or spasms
- Muscle aches, tenderness, or weakness
- Unusual tiredness, weakness, or fatigue
- Ringing or buzzing in ears
- Forgetfulness or confusion
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Disturbed vision
- Severe sunburn symptoms (redness, itching, swelling, blistering)
- Itchy or raised skin rash, hives
- Signs of anemia (tiredness, shortness of breath, pale appearance)
- Yellowing of skin and/or eyes
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath or chest tightness
- Numbness, tingling, and color changes in fingers or toes when cold
- Severe upper stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
- Frequent infections (fever, severe chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers)
- Changes in urination (little/no urine or excessive urination)
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Fainting within hours of taking dose
- Severe dizziness and confusion with vision and speech problems
- Swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat causing breathing difficulty
- Severe skin blisters and bleeding
- Chest pain
Important Warnings
Several important conditions and situations require special attention before taking Ramipril Winthrop.
Who Should Not Take Ramipril Winthrop
Do not take if you’re allergic to ramipril or other ACE inhibitors, have a history of unexplained swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, have kidney problems or renal artery stenosis, have heart valve problems, have low blood pressure, are on dialysis with certain membranes, are diabetic taking aliskiren or ARB medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, low blood pressure, low white blood cell counts, high potassium levels, autoimmune conditions like lupus or scleroderma, kidney/heart problems, diabetes, are on very low or high salt diets, are dehydrated, or plan surgery.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Ramipril Winthrop may harm your developing baby during pregnancy and can pass into breast milk. Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Check with your doctor if you plan to become pregnant.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Ramipril Winthrop and affect how it works.
- Other blood pressure medications
- Heart failure medications
- Diuretics (water tablets)
- Lithium
- Potassium supplements or salt substitutes
- NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Diabetes medications (insulin and tablets)
- Heparin
- General anesthetics
- Blood cell-affecting medicines (allopurinol, procainamide, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, cancer medicines)
- Temsirolimus
- Cold, cough, asthma, or appetite control medications
Alcohol & Driving
Ramipril Winthrop can affect your ability to drive and may interact with alcohol.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol while taking Ramipril Winthrop may increase dizziness, drowsiness, or light-headedness.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Ramipril Winthrop affects you. This medication may cause light-headedness, dizziness, or drowsiness in some people.
Storage
Keep Ramipril Winthrop tablets or capsules in the blister pack until time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where temperature stays below 25°C. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on windowsills. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Ramipril Winthrop, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication works by widening blood vessels to reduce pressure and improve blood flow. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure to ensure the medication is working effectively.
Yes, you can take Ramipril Winthrop with or without food. It should be swallowed whole with plenty of fluid.
Do not stop taking or change your dosage without checking with your doctor first. Follow your doctor’s instructions and continue taking until told to stop.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol while taking Ramipril Winthrop may cause increased dizziness, drowsiness, or light-headedness.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose.
Standing or getting up slowly, especially from bed or chairs, helps your body adjust to changes in position and blood pressure, reducing feelings of light-headedness, dizziness, or faintness.
If you plan to have surgery requiring general anesthetic, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Ramipril Winthrop. Also inform doctors about this medication before any blood tests.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.