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Can Norvasc Be Stopped Cold Turkey?
Question: .I am a normally healthy, active, 68 yr old female; moderately overweight. Blood pressure is high. P.A. started me on 5 mg of Norvasc. BP still high so she told me to take 2 pills. BUt at same time wrote rx for 10mg. So I was taking 20mg. My husband thought I was dying and discovered the problem. So I am back to 10 mg. However depression, lack of movement, nervous twitch , 2 teeth broke off! ( could this be reduced calcium from CCB). Things I like to do (like Zumba) have stopped. And most important my resting HR is over 90. I want to get off this stuff and back to my normal life. It seems ,exercise and eating healthy would be better for me. I have read there is no difference in death rate for people on BP med. Is that true? Can I stop Norvasc "cold turkey"?
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that your symptoms do not seem to be related to Norvasc intake. It does not cause such changes in blood plasma calcium, which can lead to teeth breaking.
Anyway, if your symptoms started at the moment that you started Norvasc, you should discuss with your doctor on the possibility to switch to another anti-hypertensive drug, which you may tolerate better.
What are your actual blood pressure values?
I recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure values during the day. Low blood pressure could be the cause of some of your symptoms. If your blood pressure values are below 110/60mm Hg, I would recommend stopping Norvasc intake.
But if your blood pressure values are above 120/80mmHg, while taking Norvasc, I would recommend switching to another antihypertensive drug like an ACEI (lisinopril, ramipril) or ARB class (valsartan, telmisartan).
Regarding stopping Norvasc cold turkey, I would recommend doing this gradually (three days half a tablet and then stop) in order to avoid rebound hypertension. You can do this only if your blood pressure values are low.
But, if your blood pressure values are high, I would recommend switching directly to one on the above mentioned drugs.
If your symptoms are not closely related to Norvasc intake and if your blood pressure values are normal, I would recommend performing further tests to investigate for other possible underlying causes:
- thyroid hormone levels for possible dysfunction
- vitamin D and calcium plasma levels for possible deficiency
- complete blood count and iron levels for anemia.
I would also recommend some lifestyle modifications to help you maintain naturally a normal blood pressure:
- reduce salt and caffeine intake
- perfor a lot of physical activity (walking, aerobics, recreational sports, etc.)
- try to lose some pounds if you are overweight.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that your symptoms do not seem to be related to Norvasc intake. It does not cause such changes in blood plasma calcium, which can lead to teeth breaking.
Anyway, if your symptoms started at the moment that you started Norvasc, you should discuss with your doctor on the possibility to switch to another anti-hypertensive drug, which you may tolerate better.
What are your actual blood pressure values?
I recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure values during the day. Low blood pressure could be the cause of some of your symptoms. If your blood pressure values are below 110/60mm Hg, I would recommend stopping Norvasc intake.
But if your blood pressure values are above 120/80mmHg, while taking Norvasc, I would recommend switching to another antihypertensive drug like an ACEI (lisinopril, ramipril) or ARB class (valsartan, telmisartan).
Regarding stopping Norvasc cold turkey, I would recommend doing this gradually (three days half a tablet and then stop) in order to avoid rebound hypertension. You can do this only if your blood pressure values are low.
But, if your blood pressure values are high, I would recommend switching directly to one on the above mentioned drugs.
If your symptoms are not closely related to Norvasc intake and if your blood pressure values are normal, I would recommend performing further tests to investigate for other possible underlying causes:
- thyroid hormone levels for possible dysfunction
- vitamin D and calcium plasma levels for possible deficiency
- complete blood count and iron levels for anemia.
I would also recommend some lifestyle modifications to help you maintain naturally a normal blood pressure:
- reduce salt and caffeine intake
- perfor a lot of physical activity (walking, aerobics, recreational sports, etc.)
- try to lose some pounds if you are overweight.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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