The 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, ZetiaUncontrolled BP on many meds
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 19 2009
Q: I was diagnosed with high blood pressure in 2003. I tried Clonidine, Accupril and got rebound hypertension and impaired Kidney function. I am currently on the following medications - Tekturna 150 mg x2, Terazosin 10 mg x6, Labetalol x1, Guanfacine, x3, Hydralazine 10 MG x2. My BP now stays high. Can these meds be having an interaction issue, or just too much medicine? Can any of them cause rebound hypertension and make my BP worse? I just ordered the RESPeRATE Machine to see if that will help. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
A: The more medications you take, the more likely you are to have an interaction of some kind. For a good discussion on interactions, click here. The drugs you are taking for your blood pressure are all in different classes of medication and should work together to lower your pressure. Clearly you are having problems. You should show your blood pressure readings to your doctor and discuss your concerns. Rebound hypertension can occur if you stop your drugs or aren’t taking them as prescribed.
Tags: accupril, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure readings, Clonidine, guanfacine, high blood pressure, hydralazine, hypertension, interaction, kidney function, labetalol, meds, minoxidil, rebound hypertension, RESPeRATE, Taking BP Meds, Tekturna, terazosinDrug assistance programs
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Aug 27 2009
Q: How can I keep my blood pressure down without the use of meds? I plan on talking to my doctor about Resperate however my money is limited at this moment. I have been taking lisinopril and until I can get to my doctor I need a way to keep my blood pressure low without the use of meds. Basically I cannot afford the doc to continue my meds.
A: Call your doctor. Most doctors will work with you to find a drug you can afford, provide you with samples, and/or put you in touch with drug assistance programs. On the web go to: http://www.pparx.org/
Tags: blood pressure, drug assistance programs, Lisinopril, medication, meds, Misc, money, RESPeRATE, Taking BP MedsClinical study and rising blood pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Apr 25 2009
Q: I have been on Diovan 320/12.5 and Amlopidine 10mg for about a year and a half. I volunteered for a clinical study and they asked me to stop my meds. I have and it has been reading really high, 136/97 up to 157/119. Will I be alright to do this for 2 weeks? I have been off them for 5 days now. I really don’t feel bad. I can think a lot clearer than when I was on my meds.
A: Talk to the medical personnel associated with the clinical study. Presumably they are monitoring your pressure and will put you back on your medications if they feel you are at risk.
Tags: amlopidine, blood pressure, clinical study, Diovan, medications, meds, Taking BP MedsWere meds appropriately prescribed?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 10 2009
Q: I’m a very healthy, slim 51 year old female. My Dr just put me on 20 mg of Lisinopril and 10 mg of Zocor because my BP is between 124/77-131/81 and cholesterol is 208. I don’t think numbers like this qualify me to be on this type of serious medication but I agreed to try the meds for a month. I’ve been taking them at night for the past 4 days and I’m nauseated and very dizzy when I stand. I made an appointment with a Cardiologist for a second opinion. What is your take on this?
A: Getting a second opinion is a reasonable approach. Based on the information you have given me, it does not appear that your doctor is following nationally recognized treatment guidelines for high blood pressure (click here). However, your doctor may have felt there are other reasons to consider treatment at this point, such as diabetes, that perhaps you failed to mention.
Tags: cholesterol, Heart Health, high blood pressure, hypertension, Lisinopril, medication, meds, treatment guidelines, ZocorAlcohol consumption while on bp medication
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Oct 20 2008
Q: Can you drink any alcohol while on any high blood pressure medication?
A: Generally speaking, it is okay to consume a moderate amount of alcohol while on high blood pressure medication. To be certain that your medication does not interact with alcohol, ask your pharmacist or physician.
Tags: alcohol consumption, alcohol intake, Diet & Exercise, drug interaction, high blood pressure medication, medicine, medsWhen I first started taking blood pressure medication I had chest pains, is this normal?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Sep 03 2008
Q: I take Bystolic 10mg and Benicar 40/25 (1 per day) but sometimes it gives me chest pain. My body wouldn’t tolerate these meds at first so my Dr. gave me a little at a time until I could take it. Is it ok to take them together?
A: Chest pain should always be evaluated by a doctor. Make sure your doctor is aware that you are having this symptom. Starting off at a lower dose is a way to build tolerance to a medication and this technique is frequently used. It is not uncommon to combine a beta blocker (Bystolic) with an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (Benicar).
Tags: beta blocker, blood pressure medication, chest pain, Medication Interactions, meds, taking blood pressureCan blood pressure medications cause arthritis?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Sep 03 2008
Q: I’m on 3 BP meds and have noticed an increase in arthritis all over my body since adding the last medication. Can BP meds cause arthritis?
A: Without knowing what medications you are taking, it is impossible to say if the last drug is responsible for the worsening of your arthritis. The more medications you are taking, the more likely you are to have an adverse reaction. Discuss your reaction with your doctor. You may want to ask about RESPeRATE use. It could get your blood pressure under control without having to add more drugs.
Tags: blood pressure, bp, drugs, Medical Conditions, medication, medsIs there an alternative to medication to treat arthritis?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Sep 03 2008
Q: Is there an alternative to medication to treat arthritis? My meds don’t seem to work.
A: A regular exercise program really helps in the treatment of arthritis. You should discuss this with your doctor. It might be appropriate for you to visit a physical therapist to get you started. The Arthritis Foundation also offers information about exercise and arthritis. To visit their website click here.
Tags: exercise program, Medical Conditions, medication, meds, physical therapistDoes tramadol interact with blood pressure medications?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 04 2008
Q: Does tramadol interact with my BP meds?
A: The pain killer Tramadol probably does not interact with the drugs you take for high blood pressure. However, you should check with your pharmacist or doctor to be sure.
Tags: blood pressure medications, bp, drugs, high blood pressure, Medication Interactions, meds
