Hi All, talked to my doc today. He had originally prescribed lisinopril but after reading the boards I asked him about ARB's and he said if he was on something he would be doing Diovan. He, therefore, gave me the option of lisinopril diovan (or cozaar, avapro). Any thoughts on the best of the bunch. My numbers are not very high, prehypertensive to mild hypertensive (diet and exercise aren't doing it, I run, am thin, and generally in shape). Thanks

The ARBs are all pretty much identical, but some recent studies indicate that Atacand MAY have a slight edge over the others. Very very very slight and not enough to break your bank account for it. Most insurance companies give you a better break with Cozaar. I'm on Diovan and it works great for me...but it isn't on my prescription plan's "preferred" formulary list, so I pay more. Cozaar is on "the list" but it took me so long to finally find a BP med that didn't kill me, I don't want to fool around switching again, even to another ARB.

Bottom line, you'll do just fine with any one of them. So I'd go with the least expensive option.

Good luck! The ARBs should work well for you, especially given your BP isn't too high.
zuzu xx

The ARBs are all pretty much identical, but some recent studies indicate that Atacand MAY have a slight edge over the others. Very very very slight and not enough to break your bank account for it. Most insurance companies give you a better break with Cozaar. I'm on Diovan and it works great for me...but it isn't on my prescription plan's "preferred" formulary list, so I pay more. Cozaar is on "the list" but it took me so long to finally find a BP med that didn't kill me, I don't want to fool around switching again, even to another ARB.

Bottom line, you'll do just fine with any one of them. So I'd go with the least expensive option.

Good luck! The ARBs should work well for you, especially given your BP isn't too high.
zuzu xx

Thanks for your help!

Hiram,
Let me throw in my two cents.
I think the ACE inhibitors win on both BP Control and Cost, IF (a huge if) they don't have you coughing your head off 24/7.

Then you have no choice but to try the ARB. I take Cozaar and don't LOVE it but it's side effect free (but expensive and worth only 10 points in systolic control- common to the class.) I must take other agents with it to get control when I need it.

Fortunately, I'm bringing my weight down and, little by little, dropping my meds while still getting 120/80. Fifteen more pounds and it's bye-bye pills (till next weight gain...OH, the HORROR <in my best Brando>.)

What is ARB. Also what type of drug is Cozaar. I take an ACE inhibitor, lisinopril. It is suppose to be good, but then I must ask why am I taking 3/4 more bp meds. Like, hctz, verapamil, and avapro. I quick taking toprol xl because it caused me great reallllly great back pain and racing heart. I called the company and they told me to stop taking it and see my doc. The doc insisted I keep taking it. I refused and went to another doc. I have too many illness to mess around. Once my bp was 225/106 and this stupid doc refused to change my meds.

Hiram,
Let me throw in my two cents.
I think the ACE inhibitors win on both BP Control and Cost, IF (a huge if) they don't have you coughing your head off 24/7.

Then you have no choice but to try the ARB. I take Cozaar and don't LOVE it but it's side effect free (but expensive and worth only 10 points in systolic control- common to the class.) I must take other agents with it to get control when I need it.

Fortunately, I'm bringing my weight down and, little by little, dropping my meds while still getting 120/80. Fifteen more pounds and it's bye-bye pills (till next weight gain...OH, the HORROR <in my best Brando>.)

Thanks for the input-think I'll try the ARB. Good luck on the weight loss. I think my BP is a gift from my Dad. I run four times a week and can't stand to lose too much weight. Got to love middle age.
Peace

What is ARB. Also what type of drug is Cozaar. I take an ACE inhibitor, lisinopril. It is suppose to be good, but then I must ask why am I taking 3/4 more bp meds. Like, hctz, verapamil, and avapro. I quick taking toprol xl because it caused me great reallllly great back pain and racing heart. I called the company and they told me to stop taking it and see my doc. The doc insisted I keep taking it. I refused and went to another doc. I have too many illness to mess around. Once my bp was 225/106 and this stupid doc refused to change my meds.

JTU, You ARE taking quite a pile there, aren't you?
Anyhoo you ARE taking an ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker), your Avapro (irbesartan).
You've really got all bases covered.

HCTZ= diuretic
Toprol= Beta Blocker
Verapamil= CCB (calcium channel blocker)
Avapro= ARB...Cozaar and Diovan are it's sisters.
Lisinopril= ACE inhibitor <cough, cough>

Throw in some barbiturates, an MAOI, and clonidine and you'll have the entire drugstore emptied out every month :D :D .

Bet your MD owns PLENTY of pharmaceutical stocks.

I run and take an ARB. I use Benicar. Very effective and it only affects your running for a few hours. Don't run for four to five hours after you take the pill. I usually run and then take the pill. If you take the pill in the morning, you can run after about five or six hours with no affect.

I have been on Benicar for 4 mos and it was great, but I switched to Diovan recently for because I'm a runner and I do get a little bit of back ache with Benicar, but I still managed a 1/2 marathon 2 months ago. Also I'm in the National guard fulltime and Diovan is the only ARB the Army issues so if I deploy I get Diovan anyhow. I tried so many meds it's not even funny and the ARBs are working great. Good luck! :bouncing: