ARB Question

irisheyes39 · 11-14-2009, 06:33 PM

I have had HPB since my 20's. Good control for awhile on Toprol XL and then added Atacand when I got older. Recently I have been having spikes as high as 190/115, in hospital being checked out etc. Nothing found other than possible perimenopause. Was switched from Atacand to Benicar. My blood pressure has been good, but I feel anxious and shaky like a low blood sugar spell about 2-3 hours after I take the Benicar. How could this ARB affect me this way when Atacand never did? I never knew I even took Atacand for 10 years. Help!...Should I keep taking it or what? BP is 110/70 since taking it.

irisheyes39 · 11-18-2009, 10:20 AM

Anybody!!?? I have actually not taken either Atacand or Benicar for about 3 days. Bp is remaining steady around 135/78. The doctor knows I am doing this and I have clonidine if it shoots up dramatically or anything. What do the veterans think? I am still taking 150 mg of Toprol everyday and averaging about 1mg of Ativan when I feel like it might be going up as well. This seems to be doing it. Would the ARB be out of me by now? Maybe I didnt' really need it all these years? What do you guys think?

ACE28 · 11-19-2009, 10:37 AM

I've taken Benicar and Diovan in the past, and Benicar is the most potent and effective of the ARB's. Side effects are less with Diovan and Atacand but blood pressure control is not as good as Benicar. It's a double edged sword. Many doctors are switching their patients from Toprol to a new beta blocker called Bystolic, which is supposed to be much more potent in blood pressure control. With Bystolic, you can drop all other HBP medications and take this alone. Keep in mind, it's been a wonder drug for many, but others have the laundry list of side effects. Ask your doctor for samples. The pill is manufactured by Forest Lab's (Ireland).

irisheyes39 · 11-19-2009, 10:55 AM

Thanks for the reply! :-) What are the side effects, do you know? I have not had any bad side effects from Toprol in the 20 or so years I have taken it. I sometimes feel SOB when my HR is low, but other than that it's been great and I have some allergy related Asthma too.

ACE28 · 11-19-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irisheyes39

Thanks for the reply! :-) What are the side effects, do you know? I have not had any bad side effects from Toprol in the 20 or so years I have taken it. I sometimes feel SOB when my HR is low, but other than that it's been great and I have some allergy related Asthma too.

Side effects such as fatigue and dizziness are similar to Toprol. The side effects listed by the manufacturer are far less than Toprol. Keep in mind that this is a newer pill and the full side effect profile are not entirely known. If your doing OK taking Toprol for 20 + years, than stick with Toprol. If blood pressure control is poor, you can always ask your doctor for a sample of Bystolic.