ace inhibitors

[mgraylorn]

jrmcxx, do you still get headaches if you take 20 mg in the morning and 20mg at night? Sometimes taking 1/2 a drug twice a day gives just as much result as the whole amount once a day, but with fewer side effects.

[CASSIEBEL]

Today, the ACE + ARB combo is very potent. But, side-effects can get out of hand - bradykinin levels get even higher. Speaking of which, there is another class called vasopeptidase inhibitors (aka. Super ACEI). While they are very potent, they have similar problems to the ACE + ARB combo. So much so, the FDA most likely will never approve this class.

My cardiologist suggested this combo to me but I had read somewhere that it shoudn't be used with a beta blocker ( don't know why ). Since I must take a small dose of atenolol I declined to try an ARB + ACE combo. I have taken both (seperately but not together) without any side effects. Since I have had so much trouble controlling late evening numbers I was just wondering if an ACE would do a better job than the Benicar HCT.

Oh well... I need to stop. I am get carried away here.

No you're not "carried away". I always enjoy your post.) But somtimes the technicality leaves me scratching my head

Cass

[popeye77]

The last visit to the doctor he gave me some Benicar to try (about 2 months worth). Do you think the switch to this med from Accupril is going to have an adverse effect?

mgraylorn: I found that changing the dosage from one 40mg. to 2 20mgs. taken 12 hrs apart lessens headache tendency. When I started with 40mg. single dosage the headache would start about 1.5 hrs. later, but was really bad. The 20mg. dosage still produces headache but at what I now perceive as acceptable.

As far as sodium, I threw my salt shaker away. I avoid MSG and potasium, when I know it's there in the product. I've been taking BP control meds. for years now, in the last couple of months I'm getting discouraged by side effects with increased dosage and seemingly more foods I can no longer tolerate.

[mgraylorn]

Accupril is an ACEI and Benicar is an ARB. You shouldn't have any problems switching. A lot of people on this board really like Benicar.

[Random2]

Graylorn,

With all of these people having problems with B/P meds. maybe the solution to to do much more extensive research before putting these meds. on the market.... Splitting up the pill doesn't help the side-effects. Every B/P pill that I have been on has had bad side-effects & I am only 34. My lifestyle has been much worse as well. Maybe the answer is for docs. not to prescribe so many B/P meds. so quickly & to do a lot more testing before letting the public suffer with these meds.