Ramipril - side effects

[Speedo1968]

My daughter has been prescribed Ramipril for high blood pressure.

 

Many years ago as a teenager she suffered serious hair loss following hair straightening treatment ( she is mixed race with afro hair ).

It took years for her to begin to grow again and never as good as before.

 

Since she has started treatment with Ramipril her hair has started to fall out again.

 

Two questions:-

1 ) Has any one had similar problems ( i.e. hair loss )with Ramipril ?

2 ) Could hair loss be due to the increased potassium levels in the blood ( caused by Ramipril ) and it's affect on sodium levels ?

[Sheryl]

Hair loss is a known side effect of this family of antihypertensive  meds (ACE inhibitor) and also of a related family of drugs, the Angiotension II inhibitors, and another, unrelated family, the beta blockers.  Nothing to do with potassium AFIK, it is due to something called telogen effluvium.

 

Best to consult her doctor re alternative meds.  You might specifically ask about possible switch to a calcium channel blocker as that group of antihypertensives tends to work well in people with African or part African  ancestry...and she would likely have the same problem with an Angiotension Inhibitor, beta blocker and any other ACE inhibitor.

[Speedo1968]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

Hair loss is a known side effect of this family of antihypertensive  meds (ACE inhibitor) and also of a related family of drugs, the Angiotension II inhibitors, and another, unrelated family, the beta blockers.  Nothing to do with potassium AFIK, it is due to something called telogen effluvium.

 

Best to consult her doctor re alternative meds.  You might specifically ask about possible switch to a calcium channel blocker as that group of antihypertensives tends to work well in people with African or part African  ancestry...and she would likely have the same problem with an Angiotension Inhibitor, beta blocker and any other ACE inhibitor.

Many thanks Sheryl for the prompt reply and the excellent information.

[Speedo1968]

On 1/7/2018 at 2:02 PM, Sheryl said:

Hair loss is a known side effect of this family of antihypertensive  meds (ACE inhibitor) and also of a related family of drugs, the Angiotension II inhibitors, and another, unrelated family, the beta blockers.  Nothing to do with potassium AFIK, it is due to something called telogen effluvium.

 

Best to consult her doctor re alternative meds.  You might specifically ask about possible switch to a calcium channel blocker as that group of antihypertensives tends to work well in people with African or part African  ancestry...and she would likely have the same problem with an Angiotension Inhibitor, beta blocker and any other ACE inhibitor.

As a follow up to my post.

My daughter ( in UK ) had Ramipril prescribed by her local GP.

My daughter is mainly pure Caribe indian rather than Afro / Caribbean.   The island of Dominica is the only known place to have pure Caribe's.

Following hair loss she went to a skin specialist who indicated that Ramipril was the most likely cause for her hair loss.

After the skin specialist she registered with the renal department of a government hospital where she had a GFR and ultrasound for kidney / bladder.

 

Her hair condition became worse so she went back to her local GP about stopping Ramipril, she was told that because she was registered with hospital renal department consultant he, the consultant, would have to decide about changing her medication.   That is 3 months away.    This is the bureaucracy in the UK health system - yes it protects her GP bus does nothing for the patient.

 

In Thailand one is so lucky, you can walk in to any hospital / clinic etc and at least talk to someone.

Thanks again for your help.