Dose effectiveness - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

bharkins · 08-27-2004, 09:23 AM

Hi Guys,

I have been having a difficult time controlling my a.m. blood pressure. I know that it is supposed to be at its highest in the a.m., but mine is extremely high and I have been told to split my meds between a.m. and p.m.
Does anyone know how long a dose of meds remains effective in the system until the next dose? I have been taking my a.m. meds at 7:00 and would like to find a good p.m. time that would perhaps carry me through until the next a.m. dose. Thanks

zuzu8 · 08-28-2004, 03:58 AM

Hi Bharkins,

Usually, when split doses are indicated, it means approx every 12 hours (give or take an hour or so). This interval should help you achieve steady-state drug levels.

zuzu xxx

Machaon · 08-28-2004, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bharkins

Hi Guys,

I have been having a difficult time controlling my a.m. blood pressure. I know that it is supposed to be at its highest in the a.m., but mine is extremely high and I have been told to split my meds between a.m. and p.m.
Does anyone know how long a dose of meds remains effective in the system until the next dose? I have been taking my a.m. meds at 7:00 and would like to find a good p.m. time that would perhaps carry me through until the next a.m. dose. Thanks

How high is it in the morning?

Do you know your average BP during the day?

I've got the reverse problem. My blood pressure is highest at night, starting about 8pm and peaking about 11pm. I take one of my blood pressure meds at 8pm, and that helps.

I was on Verapamil for a while. I took it three times a day. It kicked in about three hours after I took it, and it reduced my blood pressure for about three hours before my blood pressure started to rise again.

Each med is different. Which meds are you taking?

bharkins · 08-28-2004, 10:03 AM

Thanks for your reply Zuzu. I will try that.

bharkins · 08-28-2004, 10:13 AM

Hi Beerzoids,

My pressure in the morning runs about 145-154/101-110. It comes down to normal about four hours after I take my meds.

I am on metropolol 50 mg, HCTZ 12 1/2 mg, lisinipril 40 mg, and ecotrin every morning and metoprolol 50 mg and norvasc 5 mg at night. The doctor said I may have to raise the norvasc to 10 mg. if the morning a.m. is not improved. I really don't want to do this since the norvasc makes my ankles swell and I am afraid that it will be even worse if I up the dose.

Thanks for your reply.