Role of a family physician
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: May 22 2009
Q: I have had (essential) hypertension for years. I am on eight rx’s and nothing seems to lower my blood pressure for any length of time. I take 8 pills a day for now, am 68, weigh 134 lbs, white female and am very afraid of what is happening. BP numbers range from 139 to 240 most of the time. I have been to three prominent doctors. Any suggestions?
A: Based on your number of medications, it sounds like you have more than one medical problem. You should consider consulting with a good primary care physician, such as a family practitioner or internist, who will look at all of your health issues. Sometimes specialists only treat the condition related to their field of medicine without regard to what else is going on in your body. As a result, care is not coordinated and people end up on more medicines than they need and have drug interactions that contribute to their problems.
Tags: blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, drug interactions, essential hypertension, family physician, family practitioner, Misc, primary careDiovan drug interactions
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Mar 17 2009
Q: I have found no information regarding side effects of Diovan which I take for hypertension. I take it daily along with Vitamin C 1000, Caltrate D, Vitamin E 400, B Complex and Hawthorn Berries. Have you any knowledge of interactions?
A: Hawthorn is known to interact with Diovan according to drug information provided for professionals by Gold Standard Inc. 2009. They do not report interactions with your vitamins. A good source for consumer information about drugs is PDR Health (www.pdrhealth.com). To see information, including interactions, specifically about Diovan click here.
Tags: drug information, drug interactions, gold standard inc, hawthorn berries, side effect, side effects of diovan, Taking BP Meds
