Side effects of ramipril

These common side effects of ramipril happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Cough medicines do not usually help for coughs caused by ramipril. Sometimes the cough gets better on its own if you keep taking ramipril.

Talk to your doctor if it carries on, bothers you or stops you sleeping, as another medicine may be better.

This is more likely to happen when you start taking ramipril or move on to a higher dose. If ramipril makes you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better.

If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you do not pass out (faint), then sit until you feel better. Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery until the dizziness passes.

GOV.UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving

Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Try not to drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Talk to your doctor if the headache does not go away or is severe.

Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or squash, to prevent dehydration. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor first.

If you take the combined pill or progestogen-only pill and you have severe watery diarrhoea, or any diarrhoea that lasts for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

If you get diarrhoea from a stomach bug or illness, tell your doctor. You may need to stop taking ramipril for a while until you feel better.

Take small, frequent sips of fluids, like water or squash, to prevent dehydration. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor first.

If you take the combined pill or progestogen-only pill and you're being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

If you get vomiting from a stomach bug or illness, tell your doctor. You may need to stop taking ramipril for a while until you feel better.

It may help to take an antihistamine, which you can buy from a pharmacy. Check with the pharmacist to see what type is suitable for you.

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.