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I have recently been prescribed Ramipril by my doctor, and this was because I am suffering from high blood pressure. People who have not used this medicine before, and have now just been prescribed this by their GP may be wondering is it safe to take.

Well it seems judging by medical reports, it is as safe as can be, and otherwise it would not be able to be prescribed.

A few notes to watch out for

Ramipril may be used either on its own or it’s also possible to take alongside other medicines to help lower the blood pressure and treat heart failure (a condition where the pumping action of the heart is reduced). The medicine is also used to reduce the risk of heart attack, strokes and prevent the worsening of kidney problems.

Before taking ramipril make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have kidney or liver problems.
• If you are on a salt restricted diet or use salt substitutes, which contain potassium.
• If you have dialysis treatment.
• If you are dehydrated (for example if you have had diarrhoea and sickness very recently).
• If you have problems with circulation, for example atherosclerosis or peripheral vascular disease.
• If you have collagen vascular disease (diseases of the connective tissues), such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or scleroderma.
• If you have cardiomyopathy (cardiac muscle disease) or aortic stenosis (narrowing of the blood vessel from the heart).
• If you have a history of angioedema (where the face, tongue and throat swell).
• If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic or unusual reaction to any other ACE inhibitor (this includes enalapril, lisinopril and perindopril) or to any other medicine.

The above is not a complete list, so its important to let your GP know everything there is to know.