Get Informed: Altace
Active Ingredient(s)
Ramipril
What does it do?
This product is primarily used to treat hypertension and heart failure, although it is also used by patients who have had heart attacks because of its association with improved survival. It works by blocking Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE), which plays an important role in controlling blood pressure.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:07 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM
Other Names
- Altace
- Ramipril
- Tritace
- Lopace
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- D
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to its risks when used in pregnancy.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 28 Jan 1991
- Est US Patients*
- 1,756,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Altace or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Altace
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Altace during the past year.
Altace Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Altace used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 11,700 patients that use Altace (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| High Blood Pressure | 82% | 
|
| Kidney Protection | 16% |
|
| Heart Disease/Stroke Prevention | 15% |
|
| Heart Failure/Edema | 5% | 
|
How well does Altace work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 11,700 users taking Altace (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 90%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Altace outweigh the bad things.
- 6%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Altace.
Common Side Effects of Altace
iGuard regularly polls our more than 11,700 users taking Altace (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
19% of patients experience side-effects on Altace
3% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Altace
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Fatigue
-
Postural Hypotension
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdo Pain/Cramps, Bruising, Cough, Erectile Problems, Memory/Speech Problems, Mood/Behavior Changes
Global Patient Feedback for Altace (Ramipril) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I had the couch for about the first month than it went away
60 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-18 14:20:08
Question/Comment:
i am 30 years old woman have been taking Cardace(Rampril) 2.5 mg tablets till 6th week of pregnancy and stopped after that. Since this drug is not recommended during pregency will there be any harm to the unborn child?
30 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-27 00:44:43
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Ramipril (Cardace) is rated a pregnancy category C in the first trimester because the possibility of other adverse effects on the fetus have not been completely ruled out. The complications that may be caused by ramipril are more significant when ramipril is taken during later stages of pregnancy and make it a category D in later stages of pregnancy. These adverse effects do not appear to be caused by exposure to ramipril in just the first trimester.
That said, make sure your obstetrician is aware that you were taking ramipril. An early ultrasound may help ease your mind about your baby. An ultrasound can show a heartbeat even as early as 7 weeks gestation. Altough the complications that may be caused by ramipril are more common and more serious at later stages of pregnancy, but it is important to discuss the risks with your physician and find the best way to ease your concerns as soon as possible, such as early ultrasound.
Posted: 2010-01-27 22:51:08
Question/Comment:
i am 52 years old and have recently had the coil removed{4 months ago}. since then i have had regular periods but my gp advised that i would be highly unlikely to get pregnant. i take ramipril 5mg and am very worried now that i may be pregnant. it is to soon to take a test but my husband and i had unprotected sex and it may sound weird but i have this feeling i may have conceived. i carried on taking the ramipril due to advice that needed it for b/p. in the 'UNLIKELY'??? event that have conceived, would any foetal damagehave occurred.
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-16 07:09:45
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Ramipril should not be taken by pregnant women or women planning on becomming pregnant. It is possible to cause birth defects. To know for sure, have your physician draw blood work. Also, ask if he/she can change you to a different medication to maintain your blood pressure.
Posted: 2010-01-17 20:41:58
Question/Comment:
I've experience a severe chronic cough in taking this medication...So severe until it has alter my life style, the coughing has caused me to throw up, urinary leaks, spitting up clear sputum, nasal drainage/drips and more...I am now off this stuff...it took up to 3 weeks for this med. to clear my system....My only wish is that my doctor would have warned me about the side effects much, much sooner. I guess she trailed the drug and hope for the best, turns out for me it was the worst. I hope others are having better results with this than I, it really seemed to work, except for the unbearable coughing experienced.
77 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-18 18:19:47
Answer/Reply:
I experienced the same symtoms ,To the point I took my self off this medication .The Dr. prescribed antiboditcs and cough syrup twice to no avail .
I couldnt go out in public the cough and gagging were so bad . Now he has me on hydrochlorothiazidea (water Pill ) to keep the blood pressure in check. Now my sugars have soared to 190 .,even with 15mg of actos a day and metformin 1000 twice a day . I give up .
I find it hard to think a little water pill could jack my sugars and give me a splitting headache.
suggestions will be considered . thanks .
im just now turning 65
65 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-27 14:18:36
Answer/Reply:
The actos is most likely causing your problem Oral diabetic drugs are bad but actos is really bad on your heart and can cause bad head aches. Ask your doctor about Lantus insulin even if your just a type 2 diabetic.
Ramipril was first given me for my Kidneys and have been taking it now for high blood pressure - wonder if this medication caused the high blood pressure.
73 year old Female
74 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-01 14:49:28
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Ramipril decreases blood pressure, as well as helps protect the kidneys, so it is unlikely that it raised your blood pressure. Some patients are prescribed ramipril only to help decrease their blood pressure.
Actos can cause headaches and heart failure. It does not have reports of causing high blood pressure. Lantus can be used for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Posted: 2010-03-03 12:52:04
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Rampiril, 10 mg per day for high blood pressure, for the last year. I do not have any other health issues but find it makes me really tired and dozy. Is it possible to reduce the need for this dosage by by taking exercise and dieting? Or am I on this for life?
62 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-20 08:15:08
Answer/Reply:
I was on the 10mg for awhile, but found I was falling asleep at work, promptly at 2 pm. I reported this to my doctor, and since my BP was cooperating, he dropped my dosage to 5 mg.
50 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-24 18:37:28
Answer/Reply:
I'm directed to take my Blood Pressure med (20mg) before bed. Couldn't tell you if it makes me tired. When do you take yours?
67 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-26 16:36:11
Answer/Reply:
I am an 85 yr old male with elevated blood pressure and I also am taking Ramipril but only 2.5 mg per day. I find that if I relieve stress by not dwelling on troublsome things my blood pressure stays manageable. I do not let myself worry about things that I can't control. Before I started on Ramipril and positive thinking, my blood pressure would rise as high as 210 over 90. Now I never have bp readings above 160 over 84 and 90% of the time it stays below 140 over 78. You have to force yourself to keep engaged with the world around you, stay busy with friends, going out to dine, volunteering to do small things in the community. When you go to bed at night think about your youth and all the great times you lived.
86 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-26 18:23:34
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72
Patient Comments about
Altace