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Any Advice I Have Been Taking Benazepril For High Blood Pressure For Several Years?
Question: I have been taking Benazepril for high blood pressure for several years. I also take a beta blocker. When I awoke this morning, my left bottom lip was severely swollen. In a couple of hours the whole left side of my mouth, chin and cheek were swollen. I took a Benadryl and went to an instant care clinic. The NP told me I had a severe allergy to the benazepril and it was life threatening because my throat may swell. He gave me a cortisone shot, observed me for an hour, and saw the swelling had gone down some, so he released me to go home with a prescription of amlodipine besylate (5 mg), another prescription of ranitidine to take twice a day for 10 days. It is now 10:30 and I still have some swelling on the left side, but my lips are nearly normal. Any advice? Is the new bp medicine ok? I am 77 years old and fairly healthy except for RA and low blood.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Regarding your concern, I would explain that it is OK to take amlodipine for high blood pressure instead of Benazepril, especially if you have allergies related to this drug. I would just recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure values in the next days. If your blood pressure values are high, increasing the dose of Amlodipine up to 10mg may be necessary. You should also pay attention to your legs in the next days, because this drug may lead to leg swelling as a common adverse effect.
If this happens, switching to another antihypertensive therapy may be needed. Regarding the swelling in your lips, if it persists, I recommend consulting with your NP again.
Hope to have been helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Regarding your concern, I would explain that it is OK to take amlodipine for high blood pressure instead of Benazepril, especially if you have allergies related to this drug. I would just recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure values in the next days. If your blood pressure values are high, increasing the dose of Amlodipine up to 10mg may be necessary. You should also pay attention to your legs in the next days, because this drug may lead to leg swelling as a common adverse effect.
If this happens, switching to another antihypertensive therapy may be needed. Regarding the swelling in your lips, if it persists, I recommend consulting with your NP again.
Hope to have been helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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