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I%E2%80%99m A 59 Year Old Woman With Hypertension . I
Question: i%E2%80%99m a 59 year old woman with hypertension. I take 50 mg Angisar (Losartan) in the morning (before breakfast).
I recently read that a new study suggests you should take bp meds at night.
I was under the impression that sleep/rest dips bp levels.
Please let me know about this issue.
I recently read that a new study suggests you should take bp meds at night.
I was under the impression that sleep/rest dips bp levels.
Please let me know about this issue.
Brief Answer:
Losartan can be taken anytime during the day- cautions explained below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
Blood pressure medications are used to reduce blood pressure and prevent complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and stroke.
The most important factor to consider when using blood pressure medications is that they should be taken regularly at the same time of the day, in the morning or evening, whenever you choose to take them.
It is true that some studies show that taking blood pressure medications before bedtime at night may reduce the risk of heart problems and stroke. This is mostly found with other blood pressure medications but not with Losartan.
Furthermore, one should be cautious if a patient needs to wake up at night. For instance, if you wake up at night every night to go to the bathroom, you may be at increased risk of falls in case you use your blood medications at night.
To conclude:
- the most important rule is that blood pressure medications should be taken regularly at the same time every day (in the morning, or evening as you decide). So, taking it in a time that you are sure you will remember to take it is the most important thing.
- some studies (small studies) do show some advantages of taking the blood pressure pills at night due to better control of the blood pressure values in the morning but this is not specific to Losartan (there are other blood pressure pills that are best taken at night).
- so far, the only "must" when taking Losartan is that the first dose needs to be taken before bedtime at night because if it is taken during the day the patient may get dizzy (this is generally the effect of the first dose), the rest of the doses may be taken anytime as long as it is taken at the same time every day.
- you have to be cautious if you wake up at night to go to the bathroom as blood pressure medications at bedtime may increase the risk of falls and serious injuries. So, if you go to the bathroom during the night, it may be better to take Losartan in the morning.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Losartan can be taken anytime during the day- cautions explained below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
Blood pressure medications are used to reduce blood pressure and prevent complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and stroke.
The most important factor to consider when using blood pressure medications is that they should be taken regularly at the same time of the day, in the morning or evening, whenever you choose to take them.
It is true that some studies show that taking blood pressure medications before bedtime at night may reduce the risk of heart problems and stroke. This is mostly found with other blood pressure medications but not with Losartan.
Furthermore, one should be cautious if a patient needs to wake up at night. For instance, if you wake up at night every night to go to the bathroom, you may be at increased risk of falls in case you use your blood medications at night.
To conclude:
- the most important rule is that blood pressure medications should be taken regularly at the same time every day (in the morning, or evening as you decide). So, taking it in a time that you are sure you will remember to take it is the most important thing.
- some studies (small studies) do show some advantages of taking the blood pressure pills at night due to better control of the blood pressure values in the morning but this is not specific to Losartan (there are other blood pressure pills that are best taken at night).
- so far, the only "must" when taking Losartan is that the first dose needs to be taken before bedtime at night because if it is taken during the day the patient may get dizzy (this is generally the effect of the first dose), the rest of the doses may be taken anytime as long as it is taken at the same time every day.
- you have to be cautious if you wake up at night to go to the bathroom as blood pressure medications at bedtime may increase the risk of falls and serious injuries. So, if you go to the bathroom during the night, it may be better to take Losartan in the morning.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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