Going off a beta to Norvasc... Please help! - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

JoannLF · 02-25-2008, 10:59 PM

I have a Dr's appt. this Wends. I have been on labetalol for 2 months now. At first I was on 50 mg twice a day then for a month have been on 100 mg twice a day. I do not like this pill at all. It makes me feel like I am drunk or something and when my blood work came back my sugar was slightly high, which I believe to be caused by this pill. I have been doing a lot of research and seen it was 50% more likely to cause diabetes. My mom was on Norvasc several years. I have looked it up and I am requesting that my dr switch me to that. How risky is it going off betas after only being on them two months? I have only took a 100 mg in the morning then 50 mg at night for two days, trying to gradually lower it. How long should I gradually lower it? I seen that there was a high risk of things to get worse after going off of these so that has me concerned. My blood pressure was staying about 160/110 when I wasn't on them.

JoannLF · 02-25-2008, 11:24 PM

Another note... The beta has drastically reduced my bp. Normally it has been 120's over 70's or 80's at sitting rate when it was 160/110 or higher, but the diabetes part really is why I want off of these. I am hoping a calcium channel blocker will keep it low, but I'm worried. So any advice on if there is another kind maybe I should ask on please let me know.

flowergirl2day · 02-25-2008, 11:32 PM

Hi Joanne,

Quote:

I have been on labetalol for 2 months now. At first I was on 50 mg twice a day then for a month have been on 100 mg twice a day. I do not like this pill at all. It makes me feel like I am drunk or something and when my blood work came back my sugar was slightly high, which I believe to be caused by this pill. I have been doing a lot of research and seen it was 50% more likely to cause diabetes. My mom was on Norvasc several years. I have looked it up and I am requesting that my dr switch me to that. How risky is it going off betas after only being on them two months? I have only took a 100 mg in the morning then 50 mg at night for two days, trying to gradually lower it. How long should I gradually lower it? I seen that there was a high risk of things to get worse after going off of these so that has me concerned. My blood pressure was staying about 160/110 when I wasn't on them

You are not likely to have difficulties with the withdrawal. Your dose is low and you've only been on Labetalol for two months. I was on 800mg and Fam takes 1800mg I think though I cannot imagine how she manages. Maximum recommended daily dose is 1200mg.
I am glad you are seeing your doctor tomorrow. Make sure to ask him for guidance and also ask what (if any) symptoms you might experience. He will probably tell you he doesn't anticipate any problems.

I wonder if Norvasc alone will be able to bring your blood pressure down to an acceptable level. I don't know if it is capable of bringing about a reduction in blood pressure of 40/30mmHg. I doubt it. Remember, Labetalol is a combination of TWO drugs, an alpha and a beta blocker. You might need an additional medication, such as a low dose of a diuretic. I think that a diuretic or another antihypertensive combined with a low dose of the CCB would be preferrable to just a high dose of a calcium channel blocker. Sounds like Norvasc has worked well for your mom!

I am glad you have informed yourself about its possible side-effects. They are dose-related, by the way.

Good luck,
flowergirl

JoannLF · 02-26-2008, 12:05 AM

Wow! Those are some high doses. Could the diabetes be more related to dosage as well? That was the main reason I was thinking I should go off these. When I heard my sugar was slightly high it worried me. I don't know what foods can raise sugar levels, but I need to do research on that and try to avoid them. I had to go to the er over my bp and the dr there was the one who first prescribed these pills to me. He said it was a new drug and would lower it faster. I'm kinda torn between which way to go here esp. if Norvasc doesn't lower it that many mmhg's. I thought I would ask on here and get some info since my doctor doesn't seem to be one that cares to listen to what I say. I want to go to someone else after this time. She just sits there and doesn't seem to listen at all. I could talk to the wall and get more response lol.

flowergirl2day · 02-26-2008, 10:40 AM

Joanne,

Quote:

Could the diabetes be more related to dosage as well? That was the main reason I was thinking I should go off these. When I heard my sugar was slightly high it worried me. I don't know what foods can raise sugar levels, but I need to do research on that and try to avoid them.

As it happens, I have the exact same concerns. My medication is affecting my insulin resistance and glucose levels and pushing me into a prediabetic range.

The two antihypertensive drugs known to affect glucose levels substantially are the diuretics - Hctz and beta blockers. I think too much of any sweet fruit can affect our glucose levels. My friend was told by her dietitian that even two mandarin oranges are too much for a person with these concerns and that she should only have one a day. I guess we should stay away from fruits with a high sugar content. I haven't done any reading about these things so don't know much for sure.

A great article on this topic to read is titled: Predictors of new onset diabetes identified in patients with hypertension published on February 18th.
Hypertension is a risk factor for diabetes mellitus. This risk is further affected by antihypertensive medication. The medications with the least impact on this risk of incident diabetes are the ACE inhibitors and ARBs and CCBs.

You should read it.
Good luck,
flowergirl