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Suggest Treatment For Low BP While On Klonopin And Wellbutrin

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Posted on Thu, 6 Aug 2015
Question: I take my blood pressure a few times a day and sometimes it is as low as 98/57 and then it could go up to 110/62. This has been going on for the past few months. Usually the bottom number is around 60 which I never had so low except for the past few months. I am taking Klonopin and Wellbutin. Could those medicines be making it so low and are those numbers considered too low for a 64 year old woman? When I get upset the pressure rises sometimes to as high as 140 something over 77. I use a wrist blood pressure monitor.
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Some vacillation in blood pressure is ok. Klonopin may lower BP.

Detailed Answer:
First I'll answer regarding the vacillation you are noticing in your blood pressure reading. The difference in the 2 resting pressures you stated are fairly minor. Blood pressure is not constant and varies from minute to minute. It usually goes up with some stress or activity and 140/77 when you are stressed is not dangerous. So all of that is ok.

Is it too low for someone your age? I would gauge this on how you are feeling. If you get light headed when standing, the blood pressure may be a concern. In general it's advised that diastolic (the lower number) is best kept above 55 mm Hg.

Regarding whether your meds could be contributing to this, neither are likely to, but of the two, the Klonopin is more likely. It is uncommon but has the potential to decrease blood pressure.

If you are feeling well and not overly tired and not light headed, then I don't think your blood pressure is concerning. If however you do feel light headed, or if the diastolic goes lower then I would advise you go in to talk with your doctor about it.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Low BP While On Klonopin And Wellbutrin

Brief Answer: Some vacillation in blood pressure is ok. Klonopin may lower BP. Detailed Answer: First I'll answer regarding the vacillation you are noticing in your blood pressure reading. The difference in the 2 resting pressures you stated are fairly minor. Blood pressure is not constant and varies from minute to minute. It usually goes up with some stress or activity and 140/77 when you are stressed is not dangerous. So all of that is ok. Is it too low for someone your age? I would gauge this on how you are feeling. If you get light headed when standing, the blood pressure may be a concern. In general it's advised that diastolic (the lower number) is best kept above 55 mm Hg. Regarding whether your meds could be contributing to this, neither are likely to, but of the two, the Klonopin is more likely. It is uncommon but has the potential to decrease blood pressure. If you are feeling well and not overly tired and not light headed, then I don't think your blood pressure is concerning. If however you do feel light headed, or if the diastolic goes lower then I would advise you go in to talk with your doctor about it. I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.