Ramipril and Lisinopril are potent medications for managing hypertension and promoting heart and renal health. Patients struggling to regulate their blood pressure often turn to these drugs to prevent severe complications. Both of these medications function as angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, a class that helps relax blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.
So, what sets Ramipril and Lisinopril apart? Continue reading to uncover the distinctions between these two medications.
Comparing Ramipril and Lisinopril
Ramipril and Lisinopril have more similarities than differences. Both serve as ACE inhibitors, offering nearly identical benefits and side effects to patients.
However, Ramipril is associated with the lowest rate of all-cause mortality, while Lisinopril has shown to be less effective in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Furthermore, Lisinopril is linked to a higher incidence of all-cause mortality compared to Ramipril.
What is Ramipril?
Ramipril is prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure and is also used to reduce the risk of death, heart attacks, and strokes in patients. It can be given to individuals recovering from a heart attack to treat heart failure.
Ramipril is available both as a generic and under the brand name Altace.
Possible side effects include sudden swelling of the face, arms, legs, lips, tongue, throat, and intestines. If you experience stomach pain or swelling in these areas while on Ramipril, discontinue use immediately and consult your doctor.
What is Lisinopril?
Similar to Ramipril, Lisinopril is used to treat high blood pressure. It helps lower blood pressure to a healthy level, thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks, kidney problems, and strokes. Lisinopril also aids patients in surviving longer after a heart attack and is used to treat heart failure. It works by relaxing blood vessels, enabling better blood flow.
It’s advisable to take your first dose of Lisinopril at bedtime as it may cause dizziness. After the first dose, if you do not experience dizziness, you can take it at any time of the day, ideally at the same time each day.
How Do ACE Inhibitors Work?
ACE inhibitors are heart medications that widen or enlarge blood vessels, helping to lower blood pressure. They also increase the amount of blood your heart pumps, thereby reducing blood pressure and improving blood flow, which alleviates stress on the heart.
Other uses for ACE inhibitors include:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart failure
- Diabetes
- Certain chronic kidney diseases
- Heart attacks
- Scleroderma
- Migraines
Sometimes, ACE inhibitors are used in combination with other blood pressure medications, such as diuretics or calcium channel blockers. However, it’s important to avoid using ACE inhibitors concurrently with angiotensin receptor blockers or direct renin inhibitors.