Ramipril and Panic Attacks: What Users Say

• Nan...
• May 21, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I have taken myself off ramipril 10mg and now after 24 hours feeling great and blood pressure has gone down. Ramipril made me feel so ill with panic attacks, depressed, sick, wind, and awful cough which would not stop. Also I couldn't think or remember. I know at my age of 71 sometimes it comes with the territory! I am going to a specialist tomorrow so not worried about suddenly stopping. This drug seemed to have an adverse effect on me and even raised my blood pressure. I have AF which is under control now. I am never going on this drug again."

• Lit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Took this med ramipril for several weeks for high BP, hoped cough would go away but the cough became disruptive and unbearable to the point of gagging, gasping for air and a feeling of being smothered. I slept with my clothes on, in case I had to call an ambulance because I could not breathe. I felt quite panicky, my ribs hurt from coughing and I developed aches and pains all over my body. Cough became very bronchial with wheezing, whistling noises and a croupy sound. My feet tingled and burned and I was dizzy and extremely exhausted. Scalp broke out in an itchy, scaly rash. I could barely function. Went off this medication a couple of months ago but the symptoms persisted. Today, October 24, 2019, is the first day that the cough is less severe and I don't feel like I'm being smothered. The sores on my scalp are still there as well as the aches and pains. Hopefully they'll all disappear now."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Female, 48, healthy, runner, probably half a stone overweight, but not much. I had high blood pressure (148/98) for a couple of weeks. Initial visit to doctor was for muscle aches and headaches. Blood tests revealed very low Vitamin D, so I was given a Vitamin D 6-month program and Naproxin NSAIDs for pains. Then 2 weeks later, Ramipril 1.25 was prescribed, and I was told to stop the NSAIDs. My BP was down to 138/86 straight away, but I constantly feel like I am having a panic attack. My heart feels too heavy and fluttery? My muscular pains are all back, headaches, a small cough, dryness, and tonsils are feeling swollen. Weird. Glad I found this site, I think the doctor was too quick to prescribe! Going for a second opinion."

• Gam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "This medication to start with did not appear to have any side effects. Being diagnosed with hypertension after fainting at work, I obviously needed to be on something. Being on antidepressants as well, I went on a very low dose (the antidepressants I've been on for years, they've always helped). However, it started to cause me to have serious panic attacks, dizziness, and terrible anxiety at numerous times of the day, which would be so overpowering and generally so down that getting through a day was so hard. The intrusive thoughts were worse, which were as bad as dark thoughts and fear of being out in public, so scary. I'm now on blood pressure tablets, which seems to be working, so fingers crossed I'll be alright. I do urge anyone that gets these side effects to go straight to your GP."

• kay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 11, 2017

For Diabetic Kidney Disease "I was initially prescribed ramipril for renal protective purposes due to high proteinuria. I started at 5 mg and was gradually increased to 30 mg over a 2-year period. Side effects: sleeplessness, irritable, panic attacks, overwhelm, inability to cope with everyday life, crying, loss of confidence, unable to complete projects... I thought it was circumstantial, so over a 6-month period, I quit my jobs and focused on reducing and managing the stressors in life. But no improvement!?! The only thing left to remove/try was the drug. I went off it for 12 days and felt like a million bucks! Calm, happy disposition, sleep, I was myself again! But BP went up to 189/116. Hope there is another option for me :("

• Nin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2025

For High Blood Pressure "I am 72. I was fit and active until Covid. I developed high blood pressure 4 years ago, and my doctor prescribed Amlodipine 5 mgs, it worked well. Sadly, last year I developed side effects: frequent palpitations, chest pain, swollen ankles, and chronic fatigue. My GP stopped them in December 2024. My blood pressure increased to 170/98, and 3 weeks ago, another GP prescribed Ramipril 1.25 mgs once in the morning, it did nothing. Increased again to 5 mgs, then 7.5 mgs. I feel really off color, heavy legs, numbness in my feet, belly ache, nausea, and panicky. It has lowered my blood pressure to an average of 122/66. I will speak to my doctor tomorrow and discuss changing meds, I think for my age my BP is too low, and I just want to feel well again."