Varying Blood Pressure Numbers??? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

Oklahoma · 01-28-2005, 09:38 AM

I have been taking Norvasc for a month or so (5mgs in the morning and 5mgs at night). I have also started excercising about 3 weeks ago. My evening BP numbers are excellent; around 112/68. However, my morning numbers are still somewhat high; around 125/94. I am a 46 year old male, non smoker, somewhat overweight (6'1'', 220#).

Question: Any idea why the diastolic varies so much and the systolic doesn't? The diastolic varies by 26 and the systolic only varies by 13. Is this normal? The norvasc is working. My prior morning numbers were around 150/108. My doctor said to try the norvasc for another month and he would then make a decision on whether to switch drugs.

All comments/suggestions are welcome. Thanks for your help.

Palamedes · 01-28-2005, 10:14 AM

It looks like you are getting a good response to the drug. I do find it odd that you are taking it twice a day. Norvasc has a half-life of 30-50 hours. Since the peak is at 6-12 hours from dosing, and you are wanting a little better control in the morning, taking the full 10 mg at night seems like it might give you a little extra for the morning.

As far as the variations are concerned, they don't look like anything too out of the ordinary. I wouldn't try to read anything into that.

Pal

Oklahoma · 01-28-2005, 10:44 AM

With a half life that long, I guess I don't understand the split dose either. My doctor was trying to get better control in the mornings by splitting the dose. I suggested that I take it all at night but he didn't like that idea; but didn't say why!

I think I'll try it all at night and see what happens. Thanks for the reply.

jtu91952 · 01-28-2005, 11:40 AM

I too have started norvasc. It seems to be a good drug for my bp w/o too many side effects. My bp used to run 170's-236/70-110. Now my bp runs about 130ish/80ish. this has helped alot, but my cardio wants me to take 10mgs instead of the 5mgs.

bharkins · 01-28-2005, 01:50 PM

Oklahoma,

I also take Norvasc 10mg. It is one of the meds I take at night.