Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Taking Amlodipine, High BP. Should Switch To Atacund Plus?
Question: My husband XXXXXXX is taking 5 mg of Amlodipine and my blood pressure is still high 161/97. Should he take another pill. Or should he switch to Atacand Plus 16 mg which he used to take?
Please advise. XXXXXXX
Please advise. XXXXXXX
Hi,
Thanks for visiting XXXXXXX
Your husband's blood pressure doesn't seem to have controlled on present medication. It must have dropped to at least 140/90 mm of mercury. Before saying anything, I would like to know:
1) Why Atacand plus was switched to amlodipine. Was blood pressure controlled then?
2) Has he got co-morbidities like diabetes, heart failure, ischemic heart disease (Is his ECG normal?), kidney diseases?
Why I am asking this is all these co-morbidities needs different class of drugs to have optimum effects and advantages.
Your husband certainly needs some change in medication, but first let me know about these.....
Best wishes
Thanks for visiting XXXXXXX
Your husband's blood pressure doesn't seem to have controlled on present medication. It must have dropped to at least 140/90 mm of mercury. Before saying anything, I would like to know:
1) Why Atacand plus was switched to amlodipine. Was blood pressure controlled then?
2) Has he got co-morbidities like diabetes, heart failure, ischemic heart disease (Is his ECG normal?), kidney diseases?
Why I am asking this is all these co-morbidities needs different class of drugs to have optimum effects and advantages.
Your husband certainly needs some change in medication, but first let me know about these.....
Best wishes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
1) Blood pressure was good 1.5 mths ago. Around middle of Dec., starting experiencing indigestion and tightness of chest and hard time breathing. Got switched to Amodipine 5mg. It worked for a while.
The last week my blood pressure starting going up again. Went for a ECG last week and was told by MD that heart is ok. But my chest is very tight on and off especially when laying down. My blood pressure changes drastically from day to day. This morning it was normal but now it is going back up. I am 6 feet and weigh 170 lbs. I eat fairly healthy Lots of fruits and veggies and red meat only 2 - 3 times a week. I do not smoke and only drink 1 - 3 light beers at a time.
Thanks for Follow up,
Your body mass index is normal (23.1).
Since you are feeling chest tightness, I wish if you could go for stress electrocardiography, echocardiography, and a simple breathing test called spirometry with reversibility.
Fluctuating Blood pressure must be screened for a disease called pheochromocytoma where apart from this other symptoms are: Headaches, palpitation and diaphoresis (sweating). You must screen this disease by examination of 24-hour collection of urine and getting it examined for creatinine, total catecholamines, VMA and metanephrines.
For the time being you may increase the dose of amlodipine. Please discuss with the treating doctor about this.
And yes, please tell me about your diabetic status, renal function test and if any imaging studies like ultrasonography done for abdomen.....
Best wishes
Your body mass index is normal (23.1).
Since you are feeling chest tightness, I wish if you could go for stress electrocardiography, echocardiography, and a simple breathing test called spirometry with reversibility.
Fluctuating Blood pressure must be screened for a disease called pheochromocytoma where apart from this other symptoms are: Headaches, palpitation and diaphoresis (sweating). You must screen this disease by examination of 24-hour collection of urine and getting it examined for creatinine, total catecholamines, VMA and metanephrines.
For the time being you may increase the dose of amlodipine. Please discuss with the treating doctor about this.
And yes, please tell me about your diabetic status, renal function test and if any imaging studies like ultrasonography done for abdomen.....
Best wishes
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
