Amlodipine and constipation
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Mar 15 2010
Q: I have been taking 5 mg of Amlodipine daily for about one year. My blood pressure has been good since I started taking it, but I have noticed that I get constipated with this medication and I was wondering if there is another kind of medication in the same group of meds that would not have that side effect.
A: Amlodipine is a type of drug known as a calcium channel blocker. Constipation is a frequent complaint with this type of medication. Since you are doing well on Amlodipine, you might want to try increasing the fiber in your diet. A couple of prunes a day can make a difference.
Tags: amlodipine, blood pressure, calcium channel blocker, constipation, diet, Diet & Exercise, medication, side effect, Taking BP MedsDrug side effects
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Mar 02 2010
Q: I have been taking Diovan 80 for two years. I have tolerated it well with the exception of ringing in my ears. I now am having a nervous feeling and have rapid pounding in my ears. This happened when I was on topryl xl. Is it possible to not tolerate meds after a few years? I am also on thyroid medication. Levothyroxin 75 which was changed recently to Levothyroxine. Any suggestions? My doctor does not want to change meds but I do.
A: Talk to your doctor. You can develop reactions to a medication at any time. Usually reactions occur when you first start taking a drug. You have been taking the Diovan for two years but just recently changed your thyroid medication. It is more likely your new symptoms are related to your thyroid medication. Some people are sensitive to different brands of the same type of thyroid medication.
Tags: Diovan, drug side effects, levothyroxine, ringing in my ears, side effect, Taking BP Meds, thyroid, thyroid medicationSwelling with amlodipine
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 12 2010
Q: While taking Amlodipine, I have noted the side effect of swollen feet and lower eyelids. Is there something I can do to remedy this side effect? I am taking 5MG tablet daily as prescribed by my Doctor. My BP ranges between 117 and 128 in the evening but 130-140 in the morning when I wake up. I have also been using RESPeRATE device.
A: Talk to your doctor about your swelling. Sometimes it is better to change drugs than to try to treat a common side effect. Your doctor will know the next best step.
Tags: amlodipine, bp, drugs, hypertension, RESPeRATE, side effect, swollen feet, Taking BP MedsDizziness from lisinopril-hctz
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 10 2010
Q: I have been taking BP meds for 6 days and it makes me feel dizzy and lightheaded. The doctor said my body needs to get used to it and sometimes it takes a while. Is this normal? I take lisinopril-hctz 10-12.5 MG, he told me to take half of this to see if that helped the problem.
A: It sounds like your blood pressure medicine is working. Dizziness, especially when you stand up suddenly, is a common side effect of blood pressure drugs. It also may mean your blood pressure has been lowered too much. This is why your doctor wants to see how you do on a lower dose.
Tags: blood pressure, blood pressure drug, blood pressure drugs, blood pressure medicine, bp, Dizziness, dizzy, hctz, hypertension, Lisinopril, medicine, side effect, Taking BP MedsMedication changes while on RESPeRATE?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 27 2010
Q: If using Resperate lowers the blood pressure of one of your patients, would you approve that patient to discontinue taking BP medication while on Resperate?
A: Using RESPeRATE alone to control blood pressure is a possibility. Many factors need to be considered by a doctor prior to attempting to wean a patient off blood pressure drugs. A person with mild hypertension and no other health problems being treated with a low dose diuretic would be the best candidate. Don’t stop taking medicine on your own. Talk to your doctor.
Tags: blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure drug, blood pressure drugs, control blood pressure, diuretic, hypertension, medication changes, mild hypertension, RESPeRATE, Taking BP Meds, taking medicineSleep apnea, phenylephrine and BP
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 29 2009
Q: My blood pressure meds seem to control my blood pressure along with my BiPAP machine. To enable me to use the machine I must take phenylephrine for nasal congestion but it carries a warning for users with high BP. What can I do?
A: I will assume you are on BiPaP, a breathing device, for the treatment of sleep apnea. If you are overweight, lose weight. Both sleep apnea and high blood pressure are helped by weight reduction. At this point, you need to use your BiPap machine. Since your blood pressure is in control, your doctor has adjusted your medications appropriately to compensate for the use of the phenylephrine.
Tags: bipap machine, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure meds, bp, breathing device, high blood pressure, lose weight, medications, nasal congestion, phenylephrine, Sleep & Sleep Apnea, Sleep & Sleep Apnea, Taking BP Meds, weight reductionThe need for multiple meds
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 29 2009
Q: Is it normal to be prescribed more than 1 drug for high blood pressure? Here is a list of meds I’m on: bystolic 5 MG, zetia 10 MG, tekturma 150 MG, diovan 320 MG, crestor 20 MG, and nifedicall 60 MG.
A: It can often take multiple drugs to control high blood pressure. It is not unusual to be on more than one medication. Not all the drugs you are taking are for blood pressure control. Zetia and Crestor are drugs to help improve your blood fat levels. Both high blood fat levels and high blood pressure are risk factors for heart disease so both your problems are being treated. A regular exercise program will help improve both so add exercise if it isn’t part of your daily routine.
Tags: blood pressure control, crestor, Diovan, drugs, exercise program, Heart Health, high blood pressure, medication, meds, risk factors for heart disease, Taking BP Meds, ZetiaSide effects from medication
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 29 2009
Q: In the last couple of years it seems that many of the drugs they have given me for High Blood Pressure cause bad side effects. They blister my lips or even cause sore skin around my mouth. It is beyond frustrating and the doctors don’t know what to do. Can you help?
A: It is difficult to know how an individual will react to a drug ahead of time. I am sure your doctors are doing their best to choose drugs in different categories in hopes of finding one that will control your blood pressure without side effects. The lack of side effects is one of the reasons I like to recommend use of the RESPeRATE.
Tags: drugs, high blood pressure, medication, RESPeRATE, side effect, side effects, Taking BP MedsConcerns about Lotrel
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 29 2009
Q: I have been taking amolodipine and my new doctor now prescribed amlodipine benazepril (Lotrel). I am concerned because it can cause swelling and weight gain and I want to lose some weight. What do you think?
A: It is important to get your blood pressure in control. Your doctor thinks Lotrel is the best drug for you to take. I would take your medicine as prescribed. To avoid weight gain, increase your exercise and watch the amount of calories you consume. With weight loss, it is likely your blood pressure will be easier to control.
Tags: amlodipine, benazepril, blood pressure, high blood pressure, hypertension, lotrel, Taking BP Meds, weight gain, weight lossSide effects of drug Benicar
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 14 2009
Q: How safe is the drug Benicar and what are the side effects?
A: All drugs have side effects. No drug is 100% safe as everyone responds differently to medication. Talk to your doctor about any problems you are having. Dizziness is a common side effect of Benicar. To read about other known side effects click here.
Tags: benicar, Dizziness, drugs, medication, side effect, side effects, Taking BP Meds
