Nifedipine - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

50176702 · 01-29-2004, 07:41 AM

My mom has been discharged from the hospital where her BP was brought down from 200/100 to around 140/90. Her latest BP still stands at around 150. She has tried several drugs. The one she is now taking is called "Nifedipine". Although it is effective in reducing the BP rates, it has its side effects e.g. having a heavy head and fatique several hours after taking the drug (suffice to affect normal daily activities during those several hours). If anyone has taken the drug, do share with me the experience. Thanks.

ends.

en08 · 01-29-2004, 11:30 AM

Ive already posted on this board recently. I came off th drug last Saturday and am not yet back to normal. As well as the side effects I mentioned I also had pharyngitis, maybe phlebitis, almost constant tinging in my face and head. I thought i'd picked up head lice or something at first! My arm muscles are very weak but as I have started swimming again they should improve. I am not as tired as when on the drug but without a sleeping pill I still wake up several times a night. All in all the drug harmed me as my BP was higher than when I started on medication and my pulse rate went up to 110. Perhaps your mum will only suffer the tiredness. I say only but I know how terrrble that can be as when I was on lisinopril I couldn't do more than read an undemanding book or watch a film on the TV in the afternoons and frequently fell asleep in a chair. For me the drug was unsatisfactory as my BP improved when I came off it. Maybe your mum will get over the tiredness as my dizziness went after a fortnight,
En

50176702 · 02-01-2004, 05:36 AM

Thanks. The side effects on my mum have been reducing day by day. Today she feels normal though the BP still fluctuates (from 165/101 something to 140/90 something). We have chosen to stay on the drug for a while and see if the BP rates are ok, if not, we are prepared to change it.

We find that eating more celery stalks is effective in bringing down the BP. You may try.

ends.

zip2play · 02-01-2004, 05:55 AM

Nifedipine (calcium channel blocker) can be expected to lower your mum's BP about 10 points....not a wonder drug by any means.
You can probably expect them to want to add another agent for more lowering. A diuretic is probably the best addition...cheap, works well (better than the CC blocker) and without too much grief as long as she has a banana or some OJ is taken on adialy basis to keep the potassium levels up.)