Hi there!

I'm still trying to get my BP down. Was taking for 2 years Atenolol 50mg before I developed hives and went to ER with side effect complications with the first BP medicine. Perscribed Atacand 16mg had very bad dizzy spells, then my GP prescribed me Avapro but it wasn't bringing my BP down so she prescibed me Avazide 50mg.

How long does it take for meds to take effect?! I've had this for over 3 weeks now and it doesn't seem to be going down!

I'm on avapro now also. I take 150 mgs and its not bringing my bp down much either. I will probably start back with hctz. Thiazides are good bp med but i have diabetes and high cholesterol. Therefore im hesitant to use it. Maybe it takes a month or two for the meds to work, i don't know. I plan on calling my dr if my pressure isn't down by next Monday.

Girlofsteel,

I've never heard of Avazide...Are you sure it's not Avalide that you've been taking?

If it's Avalide, this drug IS Avapro but in combo with a thiazide diuretic (hydrochlorthiazide).
It should reach its full blood pressure lowering effect after about 4-6 weeks, however you should have seen a substantial response of some kind by now ( usually within one or two weeks of commencing therapy).

zuzu xx

Girlofsteel,

I've never heard of Avazide...Are you sure it's not Avalide that you've been taking?

If it's Avalide, this drug IS Avapro but in combo with a thiazide diuretic (hydrochlorthiazide).
It should reach its full blood pressure lowering effect after about 4-6 weeks, however you should have seen a substantial response of some kind by now ( usually within one or two weeks of commencing therapy).

zuzu xx

Zuzu,

Yes, LOL it is Avalide. Yes, my GP said it was a combo drug of Avapro. I see my GP next Wed. and hope I can show her some kind of benefit to this. I have however been feeling as my heart rate is a up. I know Atenolol helps with this.

The Girl of Steel (SuperGirl)
:bouncing:

on Benicar for > 1 wk. 40 mgs. no effect....

i am a supplement junkie but i've cut back alot the last couple of months due to the cost and the possibility the things i've been taking were driving the bp up....apparently not.....

my record to date:

1. norvasc 10 mgs....did very little good...no side effects.

2. lotrel (god knows the dosage)...horrible side effects; stopped in < 1 wk.

3. benicar: this is a high blood pressure medication....they're correct. i have after taking it extremely high blood pressure!!!!! 172/102 or so.....

i aint happy now.

My doctor has always told me two to three weeks tops.

I'm on 80mg Micardis (telmisartan). No diuretic. Side effects gone (initial dizziness).

I'm on my third week, and my BP is now in the 135/75 range consistently, except at the doctor's office which always reads higher. Documentation on mine says 4 weeks for optimal effect.

My GP wanted to add a diuretic after 2 weeks, and I told him no way and asked for more time on this dose and to allow my exercise/weight loss plan to do it's thing.