Suggest Treatment For Acid Reflux While On Amlodipine And Losartan

Posted on Fri, 11 Nov 2016

Question: My mother is 81 yrs old. Her physician has her on Amlodipine 5 mg and Losartan 100 mg for high blood pressure plug a few other med for other things. She has been having severe hoarness! The physician has sent here to ear nose and eye physician. The medicines they gave her for this has cause side affects such as rashes and itching, She stopped taking them Now here regular family physician has her on another drug for acid reflux which is causing a rash and itching. She does not eat any foods that can be causing this. My question to her to ask her physician is what is causing the acid reflux causuing hoarness! I had problems yrs ago with family C blood pressure meds. Caused coughing and coughing up clear sticky mucus. My physician and pharmacist realized that they needed to try a different family of blood pressure medicines. I am now on Benicar and Bystolic. I am not a pharmasist nor a Dr. but could she be having the same reaction to her blood pressure meds as I was. I think due to the reduction of calcium this is causing a gastric build up that is causing this or even GERDS. What is your opinion?

my mother just told me she does have an hiatel hernia I have read that this could be a cause of acid reflux. But she is not a candidate for surgery This might be why they are just trying to control with acid reflux meds
I just need your opinion. I know hard to diagnose without patient's records and present

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (4 hours later)

Brief answer....yes hiatus hernia seems to be the cause for acid reflux.
Detailed answer....
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understand your concern.
Acid reflux ( GERD ) is generally managed by medications,lifestyle modifications and dietary changes.
Surgery is reserved for severe cases where symptoms are not managed by all the efforts combined.
Surgery in itself cause various complications and can develop new symptoms for the patient like excessive burping or problem in swallowing. It can also cause excessive gas in digestive tract which can lead to bloating and flatulence. Moreover old age in itself is a problem for surgery.
Medicines include antacids like PPI ( pantoprozole )
Lifestyle changes include....
Don't lie within three hours after eating. Take early dinner and avoid bed time snacks
Take small meal. Make your mid day meal as the main meal.
Avoid fatty foods, onions,chocolate,alcohol ,coffee,tea,colas,tomatoe juice,citrus juice etc.
I hope with proper selection of medicines and following lifestyle changes,her symptoms can be managed well.
As far as blood pressure medicines are concerned,losartan can cause coughing.
Ask your doctor to start different medicines for controlling blood pressure to see whether present anti hypertension medicines are culprit or not.
I hope it helps,however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar