High Blood Pressure: Know Your Medications

High blood pressure (hypertension) medications are, "black magic" according to the Emergency Room admitting nurse I met Sunday. There are a wide variety of blood pressure medications and it can take a little experimentation to find the right one. The adverse reactions can vary from low blood pressure to massive heart attack and everything in between. My adverse reaction was at least colorful.

Writing about blood pressure medication was the last thing from my mind on Sunday morning. After experiencing some side effects in full force, writing anything was far from my thoughts. By eight O'clock Sunday night, I had enough experience under my belt to give it ago. So here are a few BP meds and their most common side effects.

Procardia:

A calcium channel blocker, generically known as nifedipine, its common side effects are dizziness, flushing, edema (swelling) of the lower extremities and head ache, less common side effects are constipation and nausea. These side effects are normally mild and reversible. Blurred vision is not commonly listed as a side effect for this medication, but can be associated with sever flushing. Dizziness, flushing and edema can occur simultaneously (from personal experience, it is a colorful situation) and while considered mild, can be dangerous to anyone operating machinery. On rare occasion, side effects can include heart failure (usually associated with beta blockers medications). Not commonly listed in the literature, calcium channel blockers can cause depression. Note: Dizziness and flushing were the most common side effects with 27% and 25% respectively in the test group experiencing symptoms. It is recommended to avoid grapefruit juice when taking nifedipine.

Adverse drug interactions with Procardia may occur when taken in conjunction with Tagament (cimetidine) and Lanoxin (digoxin). Women that are pregnant or nursing should avoid this drug. . Sources: medicennet.com and drug.com

Vasotec:

An angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, generically know as Enalapril has possible side effects of low blood pressure, sleepiness, dizziness, light headedness, weakness, blood abnormalities, ringing in the ears, dry mouth, chronic cough and kidney problems. Enalapril can also rarely cause serious, even fatal, liver problems. This medication has potential interactions with over the counter medications, Nsaids, cough, cold and allergy medications, as well as alcohol and caffeine. The list of interactions with prescription medication is extensive; consult your pharmacist or physician if you have any change in medication. Allergic reactions to Enalapril are also possible but rare. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not take this drug. Note: Hypotension (low blood pressure) and dizziness were statistically significant versus the control group, however incidences were approximately one percent of the test group.

HCTZ (hydrochlorthiazide):

Known as a water pill (diuretic), HCTZ has potential side effects including weakness, low blood pressure, light sensitivity, impotence, nausea, stomach pain, electrolyte disturbances, pancreas problems, yellowing of the skin, allergic reactions, severe rashes and frequent urination. HCTZ is often prescribed in conjunction with Vasotec. With jaundice (yellowing of the skin) being a potential side effect of HCTZ and Vasotec having the potential side effect of liver problems, which will cause jaundice, consult your physician should any yellowing of the skin occur. Note: Statistics for drug trial detail incidence of side effects versus placebo group were not available at the time of publishing.

HCTZ drug interactions are limited to patients allergic to sulpha (because of the similar chemical structure) and Lanoxin. The safety of this drug for pregnant or nursing women has not been determined. Because of the electrolyte disturbances, a multi-vitamin supplement is recommended with this medication along with high fluid intake.

If prescribed any of these drugs, regular dosage scheduling is important. Skipping dosages or irregular doses can increase the possibility of side effects while decreasing desired effects. Mild versions of the common side effects are normal when first starting the medications (primarily light flushing, tingling and slight dizziness). Nightly dosage of Procardia and Vasotec are recommended to minimize the severity of the side effects. HCTZ has a recommended morning dosage to reduce sleep interruption due to frequent urination.

These three medications are commonly prescribed for the initial treatment of hypertension. Their effectiveness varies between individuals, (the black magic part of blood pressure medication) requiring weekly or more frequent monitoring of their effectiveness. Regular exercise, reducing weight, lower salt intake, alcohol intake moderation (avoiding vodka completely though considered anecdotal) and no smoking, can help reduce hypertension. These changes in lifestyle can reduce need for the medication. A successful diet and exercise program can even lead to low blood pressure, if dosages are not adjusted for physical changes.

None of these medications cure high blood pressure, they only serve to help regulate blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, know your medications and their side effects. Some can be frightening but not fatal, others should be dealt with quickly.

In conclusion, information on drugs is readily available online. The information varies somewhat from site to site. It is best to check several sites before coming to any conclusions and consult with your physician and/or pharmacist. Drug.com in most cases has more detailed information on clinical trials, which greatly aids in determining the probability of side effects occurring.

Sources: medicinenet.com, drug.com, Pfizer.com, Dr. James Davidson, Fisherman's Hospital, Marathon, FL

Note: This article was submitted for non-payment and has not been reviewed by Associated Content. Associated Content in no way indorses the opinion of this author. The author is not a medical profession. The author recommends anyone prescribed medication consult online or print information to assist their physician in determining correct course of treatment.