Taken Lisinopril With HCTZ But Pressure Still High. What Must I Do?
Thank you for your query.
Lisinopril with HCTZ (Hydrochlorthiazide) is a good combination of two drugs which is efficient in BP control. However, you should not expect BP to get controlled within a matter of hours.
The drug takes around 5 - 7 days for manifesting its full effect on the BP. It is a long acting drug and therefore, once a day dosage is usually adequate.
I would suggest you to continue with this medicine and repeat a BP measurement after a week.
If the BP has not been controlled even then, you will need a second drug to be started. This could be a calcium channel blocker like Amlodipine, or a beta blocker like extended release Metoprolol or Bisoprolol.
In addtion, you could reduce the salt content in your diet, consume a lot of vegetables and fruits, do half an hour of walking daily.
If you have been a patient with hypertension of long standing duration, it may also be wise to check your kidney and thyroid function, hemoglobin levels, fasting blood sugar, fasting lipid profile, ECG, echo and serum electrolytes, in addition to urine tests for proteinuria.
I hope this answers your query. Feel free to contact me for any further clarifications.
With regards,