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Is Changing BP Medication Advisable While Treating Atrial Fibrillation?
Question: Hi,
I am 71 years old male with weight 92 kgs.
I used to have headaches about 8/9 years ago and though my BP was 135/95 or 140/95, I was started on medicines Nitrilix SR and Atpure 25mg with which my headache is fine and I am continuing these even today alongwith Ecosprin 75 and Clopygril 75. I also had a history of Atrial Fibrillation (i think Supraventricular) for which I took Cordarone 100, However since 2010 there has been no episode of AF. Now my Cardiologist has stopped Cordarone last one week and has suggested that I change the Atpure 25 to Metocard XL 50 mg which he says will also help maintain my heart rate incase there is any fluctuation in the absence of Cordarone. My Echo done last week is fine and heart function is 55%. He says that he will review stopping of Cordarone after a month based on how the heart rate is. My question is should I change the BP medicine now? Although Atpure is no longer manufactured I do have 21/2 months stock. Thanks for your help,
I am 71 years old male with weight 92 kgs.
I used to have headaches about 8/9 years ago and though my BP was 135/95 or 140/95, I was started on medicines Nitrilix SR and Atpure 25mg with which my headache is fine and I am continuing these even today alongwith Ecosprin 75 and Clopygril 75. I also had a history of Atrial Fibrillation (i think Supraventricular) for which I took Cordarone 100, However since 2010 there has been no episode of AF. Now my Cardiologist has stopped Cordarone last one week and has suggested that I change the Atpure 25 to Metocard XL 50 mg which he says will also help maintain my heart rate incase there is any fluctuation in the absence of Cordarone. My Echo done last week is fine and heart function is 55%. He says that he will review stopping of Cordarone after a month based on how the heart rate is. My question is should I change the BP medicine now? Although Atpure is no longer manufactured I do have 21/2 months stock. Thanks for your help,
Brief Answer:
Follow advise of your physician.
Detailed Answer:
Respected sir
1. Since your doctor has advised you for a change, you can do it. Atpure 25 (atenolol) and Metocard XL 50 (metoprolol) are nearly equal in efficacy theoretically. Both are beta- blockers and these two doses are equivalent. Only difference would be that proposed duration of effect of metoprolol XL is more than Atpure and it provides protection for 24 hours.
2. Beside, Your physician has access to so many other things about you which can not be simply conveyed here, so you must respect his decision. Only possible scenario where you should not abide to his decision is when you develop some new unwanted effects with the use of newer drug. Even, in those cases, you must discuss with him on priority, rather than not following him.
Hope this clarifies the issue.
Feel free to discuss further.
Sincerely
Sukhvinder
Follow advise of your physician.
Detailed Answer:
Respected sir
1. Since your doctor has advised you for a change, you can do it. Atpure 25 (atenolol) and Metocard XL 50 (metoprolol) are nearly equal in efficacy theoretically. Both are beta- blockers and these two doses are equivalent. Only difference would be that proposed duration of effect of metoprolol XL is more than Atpure and it provides protection for 24 hours.
2. Beside, Your physician has access to so many other things about you which can not be simply conveyed here, so you must respect his decision. Only possible scenario where you should not abide to his decision is when you develop some new unwanted effects with the use of newer drug. Even, in those cases, you must discuss with him on priority, rather than not following him.
Hope this clarifies the issue.
Feel free to discuss further.
Sincerely
Sukhvinder
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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