Ramipril

Indications

• Hypertension

• Congestive heart failure

  • Following myocardial infarction in patients with clinical evidence of heart failure

  • Susceptible patients over 55 years: prevention of myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular death or need of revascularization procedures

  • Diabetic nephropathy with microalbuminuria

Administration/Absorption

• • Patients are started on the lowest dose and titrated up every 3 – 4 weeks as required.

  • Dosage comes in the following forms: 1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg

Distribution

Mechanism

• • Converted to the active metabolite ramiprilat by liver esterase enzymes

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor

Excretion

• • Mostly excreted by the kidneys

  • Half-life of ramiprilat is variable (3–16 hours)

    • prolonged by heart and liver failure, as well as kidney failure.