Rampril

[kentishman]

Many Diabetics are given Rampril to control blood pressure. I was recently diagnosed with high potassium which is dangerous. My GP rang me in a bit of panic and told me to stop taking Rampril. It seems everything we take has an adverse effect on something else.

 

[cugila]

Kentishman.

Not sure of the connection here. Did your GP explain why he told you to stop it ? I have not heard of it causing an excess of Potassium ? Do you have any further information about this. the only thing I can think of is that it may be connected to other medications you take such as Potassium sparing Diuretic's ?

The normal instruction regarding Ramipril is: Do not use Salt substitutes or Potassium supplements while taking Ramipril, unless your doctor has told you to.

Interested to hear more about this.

Ken

 

[catherinecherub]

Found this article which says,
Can increase potassium levels in your blood, especially if you have diabetes and kidney problems. I used to be on an ACE inhibitor but it was swapped to an ARB as they offer kidney protection.

http://www.drugs.com/pdr/ramipril.html

 

[kegstore]

Have you recently been started on Ramipril? If so, your GP may commission several blood tests in the first few weeks just to check your kidney function is not being compromised, because in some cases it CAN cause more damage than the benefits commonly associated with this drug. Once you have been on Ramipril for a couple of months with no ill-effects you're in the clear, but it sounds like one of your tests came back with an undesirable result.

 

[xxxleonadxxx]

Not sure if this offers any explanation but I also take ramipril and when I was undergoing allergy tests the consultant informed me that ramipril can magnify allergic reactions, e.g if you are mildely allergic to cats or dogs on ramipril your reaction could be magnified ..... or it can also mask allergies and make a reaction more sudden.

I have no idea if this has any bearing on your situation (or if I have even literated this right lol :roll: ) but just thought i'd note it

 

[mehdave]

Quite wierd reading that Ramiprill can make your kidneys worse. I just got put on it to protect my kidneys. The renal clinic advised my doctor. If ARB are better for protecting kidneys wouldnt they have put me on those instead :?

 

[cugila]

It pays not to take everything you read too literally, this Forum excepted !! I can find nothing about Ramipril heightening allergic reactions ??

There are many contra-indications, side effects and risks associated with all sorts of drugs. The GP/Consultant will know all about this and if he prescribes it for you especially if under the instructions of the Renal Clinic I would be inclined not to worry about this. It does have the ability to protect your kidneys and is only contra-indicated in the following circumstances. If they don't apply to you then don't worry about it. In any case, you can always discuss this with the prescriber.

From the BNF59.
ACE inhibitor treatment is unlikely to have an adverse effect on overall renal function in patients with severe unilateral renal artery stenosis and a normal contralateral kidney, but glomerular filtration is likely to be reduced (or even abolished) in the affected kidney and the long-term consequences are unknown.

ACE inhibitors are therefore best avoided in patients with known or suspected renovascular disease, unless the blood pressure cannot be controlled by other drugs. If ACE inhibitors are used, they should be initiated only under specialist supervision and renal function should be monitored regularly.

ACE inhibitors should also be used with particular caution in patients who may have undiagnosed and clinically silent renovascular disease. This includes patients with peripheral vascular disease or those with severe generalised atherosclerosis.

As for the bit about Potassium levels........
Do not use salt substitutes containing potassium or potassium supplements without consulting your doctor. Altace can cause increased potassium levels in your blood, especially if you have diabetes and kidney problems. Blood tests should pick this up.
Hope that helps.

Ken

 

[mehdave]

Thanks for the great post as always cugila. Certainly something I will be discussing with the renal clinic whenever they get round to organising the scan.