Anyone tried Avapro?

[Sonia567]

Hi Huckfinn,

Yes, I have tried Avapro, and so far have not had any side effects. This is amazing to me, because I have tried so many classes of BP meds: allergic reactions to ACE, other ARB's, Beta blockers , lasix and even tried a vasolidator that had me feeling like a drugged zombie from one pill and I was supposed to take it 4 times a day.

My cardiologist has been working with me, since I am allergic to so many meds. At first, he was being patient about it (as my internist was not!). I told him that due to my medical history (diabetes runs in my family and i am insulin resistant) and I have heard that betas can increase blood sugar and that ARBs help with insulin resistance, I would really like to try to find an ARB that I am not allergic to. I even went so far as to try and look at the chemical structures of the 7 ARB's to find one that doesn't have an "S" - assuming that I am allergic to the sulfa component that is in some of the ARB's (this was a suggestion from my pharmacist, who also said he didn't have the time to do it). Anyway, I kept going back and trying each one, I believe I have tried 5 of the 7 total ARBs. Avapro is the only one that I did not have an allergic reaction to. I started of with half a pill (75 mg), and did not have any symptoms, but it didn't lower my BP at all. After a week, I went up to 150 mg and am holding with this dose. (I also had to wean off of Methyldopa, while starting the Avapro. This took about 2 months). Right now, on 150 mg of the Avapro, my BP usually runs about 138/85-95 and occasionally (late night or early am) I will sometimes get a reading of 150/100, which freaks me out. I might try upping the dose a little, but am worried if that will cause side effects. Is anyone taking Avapro at a dose higher than 150 mg? My cardiologist wants me to quit the Avapro and gave me an Rx for a CCB. Last visit, he had agreed with my concerns about CCBs and the increased risk of heart attacks and said that he would never prescribe me one. This visit, he said "no, I never said that" and prescribed it for me anyway, saying that the new studies show this isn't true. I believe with you Huckfinn, that the new studies were probably funded by the pharmacutical companies.

I am going to continue taking the Avapro, and combine it with some other natural remedies (taking magnesium, calcium, hawthorn berry, Co-Enzyme q-10) which my cardio approved of, and also renewing my resolve to exercise every day, do my breatheasy daily, and go back to a low carb diet. I never had high BP when I was on low carb.

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[flowergirl2day]

Sonia,

stay away from the CCBs! After my recent experience with the horrid edema, caused by my CCB, I did more reading about them. I had known about the increased risks of MIs and read some of the studies previously but not enough of them to make me want to quit taking it. I am convinced now that it's not a good drug for one to take and am so glad I discontinued it.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Avapro and doing the research. Every bit of info helps us to stay on top of things. Our doctors are too busy to worry about our reactions to rx meds much. They do not like to hear about side effects of our medications that we experience. Mý doctor usually changes the subject. Thanks to all the comments in these posts, I can tell my BP doctor there's at least one BP drug I have enough confidence in to try.
I have tried two ARBs to date but had allergic reactions to both.

Thanks very much for the information...much appreciated!

Flowergirl

[huckfinn]

Originally Posted by bethsheba

Perhaps they're taking lasex for their blood pressure, .

So sorry, having had doctors who were "hard of hearing", I just couldn't resist!

Bsheba

Bsheba, that was too good Ha ha ha.... Thanks for the laugh...

[huckfinn]

Hello JJ

I am very sensitive to medicines also. I am especially finding it hard to tolerate many antibiotics, which is OT here, but fits into the big picture. I think one condition that I have-fatty liver- may have something to do with that. Most if not all drugs are metabolized in/by the liver, isn't that right? My liver condition is due to extremely high triglycerides, not alcohol, lol.

I decreased my dose of Avapro from 150 mg to 75 mg 2 nights ago. I checked my BP last night before I took my dose of Avapro. I take Avapro and the rest of my heart meds before I go to bed. This may not be the best schedule, I don't know. I take them at night because they are at peak concentrations in the morning when most heart attacks occur. This data may be old. I also take them at night because of side affects that I think are less bothersome during the day. Plus I never get up at the same time, lol.

Anyway, they say to check your BP just before it is time for the next dose, to see the most accurate effect the BP med is having on you. I checked my BP last night and it was fine-no change. I just now checked my BP and I think my diastolic BP might be trying to increase on the 75 mg dose. Maybe not.

I will post my BP's on the 75 mg dose. I do feel better in general and my leg or calf pain is much better. I must admit now that I stopped Zetia about 7 days ago, due to overall muscle pain which immediately got better. The calf pain did not though. I think it may have been due to Avapro. This is all just conjecture on my part, but I am trying to be as accurate as I can.

Thanks for the info and reply

[huckfinn]

Flowergirl

I just noticed that you are from the Great White North! I love Canada

Your knowledge of cardiac catheterizations is complete....It sounds as though you have had one? I hope not, but they are the "gold standard" as you say.

I could not have replied to Sonia any better at all myself. As a matter of fact you did it much better than I could have. I am referring to most doctor's attitudes about medicines and their side effects. Also your description of the CCBs...Yikes! I need to copy and paste your post to her

Sonia

Thanks for replying and for the information on Avapro. It really gives me hope. You supplied information that I knew nothing of, but surely needed to. Thanks much. I am insulin resistant, or by now I may be type 2 diabetic. I have been borderline for a few years.

I apologize for not having time for a proper post to you and Flowergirl. I must write my cardiologist and a thoracic surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic. I have their fax #!!!

My best to all