Antacids and blood pressure medication
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 19 2009
Q: Can you take an antacid such as prevacol while taking blood pressure medicine?
A: Prevachol is a cholesterol lowering drug, not an antacid. Prevacid is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), not an antacid. Antacids neutralize stomach acids while a PPI blocks their release. Prevacid does not interact with most blood pressure drugs. Recommended amounts of antacids, such as Tums or Rolaids, usually aren’t a problem with blood pressure medication. It is best to double-check with your pharmacist or doctor about an interaction with your specific drugs.
Tags: antacid, antacids, blood pressure drugs, blood pressure medication, cholesterol lowering drug, interaction, Medication Interactions, prevachol, prevacid, prevacol, proton pump inhibitor, rolaids, stomach acids, tumsSide effects of antihypertensive medication
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Aug 28 2009
Q: I’m looking for a high blood pressure medicine that doesn’t have side effects of coughing or swelling of the feet. Do you know of any?
A: Diuretics are a commonly used type of blood pressure medication that aren’t known for causing swelling or cough. However, sometimes a diuretic is not enough to control blood pressure and other drugs are needed. You should discuss your side effects with your doctor. For a listing of blood pressure drugs and their common side effects, click here.
Tags: blood pressure drugs, blood pressure medication, blood pressure medicine, control blood pressure, diuretic, diuretics, high blood pressure, swelling of the feet, Taking BP MedsHigh blood pressure and surgery
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: May 21 2009
Q: I am having an operation in a fortnight [2 weeks] and although my BP was a bit high at pre-op tests, it has been checked since and is now 150/105. Is there any way I can help to get this down in time for the operation?
A: Blood pressure drugs can bring blood pressure down quickly. For most people, lifestyle changes usually take more than two weeks to make an impact. When one is undergoing surgery, it may be best to hold off treatment until after surgery because of the interactions between certain blood pressure drugs and anesthesia. You should discuss this further with your doctor, surgeon and anesthetist.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure drugs, high blood pressure, lifestyle changes, Misc, surgerySensitivites to BP meds
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Mar 23 2009
Q: What combination of BP meds do you recommend for African-American women who are sensitive to BP meds, yet do not respond well to them? I had to stop Lisinopril because it made me cough, BP remained hign on HCTZ and Atenolol, Norvasc worked for a short time, also have pitting edema from my calves to my ankles.
A: Your drug sensitivities make you more difficult to treat. If you are not already seeing a physician who specializes in the treatment of high blood pressure, you should ask your doctor for a referral. Another consideration to help you obtain better control would be use of the RESPeRATE. It has no side effects and does not interact with any blood pressure drugs.
Tags: african american women, Atenolol, blood pressure drugs, hctz, Lisinopril, Norvasc, pitting edema, RESPeRATE, Taking BP Meds, treatment of high blood pressureSkipping blood pressure medication
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Mar 17 2009
Q: My husband is taking high blood pressure pills and should take one every day. Lately, because his blood pressure seems good he waits two to three days before taking another pill. I keep telling him he should take it consistently the way prescribed and that he could be doing harm taking it and then not taking it. I would appreciate your input.
A: You are absolutely correct. Your husband should take his medicine as prescribed. It can be dangerous to suddenly stop taking blood pressure drugs, even if only for a few days. He should ask his doctor the safe way to lower his medication if a lower dose is now appropriate.
Tags: blood pressure drugs, blood pressure medication, high blood pressure, Taking BP MedsWhich blood pressure medication is most effective, without the possibility of causing kidney damage?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 19 2008
I have polycystic Kidney disease. Which BP medicine would be most effective, without the possibility of causing more kidney damage?
Posted: 2/19/2008
As a general rule, two classes of blood pressure drugs are felt to be effective in lowering blood pressure without worsening kidney disease. These are angiotension-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotension receptor blockers (ARBs). Click here to read more information about polycystic kidney disease.
Tags: blood pressure drugs, blood pressure medication, bp, kidney disease, lowering blood pressure, Medical Conditions, medicine
