Common Side Effects Of High Blood Pressure Medication
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Some of the drugs listed below can affect certain functions of the body
resulting in bad side effects. However
drugs that lower blood pressure have proven effective over the years. The benefits of using them far outweigh the risk of side effects. Most people who’ve taken these drugs haven’t had any problems.
Diuretics — Some of these drugs may decrease your body's supply of a mineral called potassium. Symptoms such as weakness
leg cramps or being tired may result. Eating foods containing potassium may help prevent significant potassium loss. You can prevent potassium loss by taking a liquid or tablet that has potassium along with the diuretic
if your doctor recommends it. Diuretics such as amiloride (Midamar)
spironolactone (Aldactone) or triamterene (Dyrenium) are called "potassium sparing" agents. They don’t cause the body to lose potassium. They might be prescribed alone but are usually used with another diuretic. Some of these combinations are Aldactazide
Dyazide
Maxzide or Moduretic.
Some people suffer from attacks of gout after prolonged treatment with diuretics. This side effect isn't common and can be managed by other treatment. This is because of hyperurecemia caused by diuretics.
In people with diabetes
diuretic drugs may increase the blood sugar level. A change in drug
diet
insulin or oral antidiabetic dosage corrects this in most cases. Your doctor can change your treatment. Most of the time the degree of increase in blood sugar isn't much. Impotence may also occur in a small percentage of people.
Beta-blockers — Acebutolol (Sectral)
atenolol (Tenormin)
metoprolol (Lopressor
Mepressor
Merol)
nadolol (Corgard)
pindolol (Visken)
propranolol (Inderal) or timolol (Blocadren) may cause insomnia
cold hands and feet
tiredness or depression
a slow heartbeat or symptoms of asthma. Impotence may occur. If you have diabetes and you’re taking insulin
have your responses to therapy monitored closely.
ACE inhibitors — These drugs
such as captopril (Capoten)
enalapril (Vasotec)
lisinopril (Zestril or Prinivil)
may cause a skin rash; loss of taste; a chronic dry
hacking cough most common side effect; and in rare instances
kidney damage.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers — These drugs may cause occasional dizziness.
Calcium channel blockers — Diltiazem (Cardizem)
nicardipine (Cardene)
Nifedipine (Procardia) and verapamil (Calan or Isoptin) may cause palpitations
swollen ankles edema
constipation
headache or dizziness. Side effects with each of these drugs differ a great deal.
Alpha blockers — These drugs may cause fast heart rate
dizziness or a drop in blood pressure when you stand up i.e postural hypoteson
Combined alpha and beta blockers — People taking these drugs may experience a drop in blood pressure when they stand up.
Central agonists — Alpha methyldopa (Aldomet) may produce a greater drop in blood pressure when you're in an upright position (standing or walking) and may make you feel weak or faint if the pressure has been lowered too far. This drug may also cause drowsiness or sluggishness
dryness of the mouth
fever or anemia. Male patients may experience impotence. If this side effect persists
your doctor may have to change the drug dosage or use another medication.
Clonidine (Catapres)
guanabenz (Wytensin) or guanfacine (Tenex) may produce severe dryness of the mouth
constipation or drowsiness. If you're taking any of these drugs
don’t stop suddenly
because your blood pressure may rise quickly to dangerously high levels.
Peripheral adrenergic inhibitors — Reserpine may cause a stuffy nose
diarrhea or heartburn. These effects aren't severe and no treatment is required other than to change the amount of drugs taken. If you have nightmares or insomnia or get depressed
tell your doctor. You should stop using the drugs.
Guanadrel (Hylorel) or guanethidine (Ismelin) may cause some diarrhea
which may persist in some people. This side effect usually becomes less of a problem if you continue treatment.
These drugs reduce blood pressure more when you stand. Consequently
you may get dizzy and lightheaded and feel weak when you get out of bed in the morning or stand up suddenly. If you notice any of these reactions — and if they persist for more than a minute or two — sit or lie down and either reduce or omit the next dose of the drug. If symptoms continue
contact your doctor.
When you're taking guanethidine
don't keep standing in the hot sun or at a social gathering if you begin to feel faint or weak. These activities cause low blood pressure. Male patients may experience impotence. Contact your doctor if this occurs. These drugs are rarely used unless other medications don’t help.
Blood vessel dilators — Hydralzine (Apresoline) may cause headaches
swelling around the eyes
heart palpitations or aches and pains in the joints. Usually none of these symptoms are severe
and most will go away after a few weeks of treatment. Minoxidil (Loniten) is a potent drug that's usually used only in resistant cases of severe high blood pressure. It may cause fluid retention (marked weight gain) or excessive hair growth.
If you want to know more about Side effects of High Blood Pressure Medicine Visit our website.
Blog Archive
-
▼
2009
(75)
-
▼
August
(64)
- Pheochromocytoma Symptoms Diagnosis And Treatment
- Open Heart Surgery Recovery Is a Full-Time Job
- New Technology Brings Improved Diagnosis of Heart ...
- New Guidelines For High Blood Pressure Treatment
- Natural Therapy for Maintaining Healthy Blood Pres...
- Natural Therapy for Maintaining Healthy Blood Pres...
- Mitral Valve Prolapse MVP - A Heart Condition
- Low Blood Pressure Symptoms
- Living with Congestive Heart Failure
- Littman Stethoscopes - Special Outstanding Feature...
- Knowing And Reducing Your Risks For Stroke
- Know Your Heart Health
- Is Your Cardio Routine Doing More Harm Than Good
- Improving Cardiovascular And Mental Health One Ste...
- Immediate Stroke Diagnosis Critical for Recovery
- How To Reduce Blood Pressure Symptoms
- How to Properly Begin a Jogging Routine
- How To Control High Blood Pressure Naturally
- How To Choose Home Blood Pressure Monitor
- How Can a Wine and Cheese Party Lower Your Blood P...
- Hollywood Heart Attack A Potentially Deadly Myth
- High Blood Pressure Reduction Measures
- High Blood Pressure in Children
- High Blood Pressure Can Be Caused By Loneliness
- High Blood Pressure And Your Heart
- High Blood Pressure And Your Health
- High Blood Pressure and the Effects of Alcohol
- Helping Students Survive Sudden Cardiac Arrest
- Help Prevent A Heart Attack Get Moving
- Heart Rate Monitors Your Essential Guide
- Heart Failure Frequently Asked Questions
- Heart Diseases New Guidelines for Detection and T...
- Heart Attacks Silent And Deadly
- Heart Attack Symptoms
- Healthy Heart Awareness
- Have You Had A Conversation Of The Heart With Your...
- Good Diet For High Blood Pressure And Hypertension
- Getting To The Heart Of The Matter On Health
- Get To Know The Physical Symptoms Of High Blood Pr...
- Get A Strong Heart With Balance Ball
- Exercise Your Heart With Sauna
- Exercise Bikes How Far They Have Come
- Dose Reduction Improvements in Cardiac CT Scanning
- Digital Blood Pressure Monitors
- Dealing With Low Blood Pressure
- Creating A Personal Heart Health Profile Online
- Creating A Cholesterol Plan
- Controlling High Blood Pressure Is The Easiest Thi...
- Congenital Heart Disease Open Heart Surgery For ...
- Common Side Effects Of High Blood Pressure Medication
- Common Cardio Exercise Workout Mistakes On Cardio ...
- Cholesterol - Good Bad...Huh
- Cardiovascular Disease and Women
- Cardio May Be a Waste of Time Without This Knowledge
- Cardio Exercises-Low Or High Intensity Exercise Bu...
- Butea Superba Mens Secret Supports Healthy Cardiov...
- Blood Pressure Research Report - Natural Therapy f...
- Blood Pressure Monitors Why You Should Consider ...
- Blood Cord Bank An introduction to cord blood ste...
- Benefits of measuring your own blood pressure
- Are You Having A Heart Attack
- An Overview of Heart Disease
- A More Convenient Approach To Heart Health
- 10 Common Symptoms And Signs Of High Blood Pressure
-
▼
August
(64)