How long to notice after changing meds.. - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

syxx_35 · 07-02-2006, 05:45 PM

I switched from atenolol to lisinopril on Wenesday. Both meds have been taken with diazide. That Wenesday was a pretty rough day as my BP did spike, which was expected. It has been 5 days so far, and my BP has maintained around 140/90's with a pulse around 90. I was told to take 1 10 mg tablet once a day. I am a pretty big guy, plus I had some really high BP numbers when we realized I was having problems, like in the 200/120 range. I am wondering if I should call the doctor tomorrow and ask him if he thinks I need a higher dose. Has anyone who is on this switched from a beta blocker, and if so how long did it take to get your BP under control.

Uff-Da! · 07-02-2006, 08:29 PM

I was never on a beta blocker, so have no idea how long it might be before the effects of quitting a beta blocker are over. But I just wanted to add that I was on Lisinopril, and even though I'm a small person (weight around 125) and my initial BP was only mid 140s/mid-eighties with stress spikes considerably higher, 10 mg Lisinopril didn't do the job for me initially. I had to go to 30 mg. I was on that level for four years until life circumstances lowered my stress level, when I was able to reduce the dose to 10 mg and finally quit the meds altogether. So I think needing a higher dose is entirely possible, since your BP was so much worse to start.

You'll probably want to see what others say about how long the withdrawal peak from quitting the Atenolol lasts before deciding whether to call the doctor tomorrow or to wait several days or a week or so longer.

lane413 · 07-02-2006, 08:50 PM

When my mom stopped the toprol xl, her bp spiked to numbers like yours (234/106) and she was told it was bcuz beta blockers have to be stopped slowly. Maybe you should have weaned slowly off the beta blocker by taking a half dose for a week then lower until none. My mom was taking two other bp meds besides the toprol xl, and it still spiked.

syxx_35 · 07-03-2006, 06:32 AM

I forgot to put down that I was only on the beta blocker for 6 days. I just started having BP problems 2 weeks ago due to some problems after having my gallbladder removed. I am going to go check my BP this morning, if it is still in the 140s/90s I will call the doctors office and see if they want me to take more.