Plendil to Altace to Benicor, what now?

[pvsurfer]

I have high blood pressure, which without meds averages 185/90. About 4 years ago, my doctor put me on a calcium channel blocker, Plendil (10mg daily), which brought my BP down to about 145/75 on average. However, I just couldn't cope with that drug's side-effects of swelling legs and breast enlargement (I'm a male). He then put me on Altace, an ACE inhibitor, which kept my BP around 150/80, but Altace resulted in a very persistent (dry) cough, so I stopped taking it.

5-days ago, he gave me samples of Benicar (20mg) an ARB inhibitor, but so far it doesn't seem to be lowering my BP at all. I was wondering if it takes more time for the Benicor to 'kick-in', or if I should move on to something else (I can't go on a diuretic because of an enlarged prostate).

Thanks in advance...
~pv

[Palamedes]

I'm on Benicar 20 (no HCT). I noticed some BP improvement on the first day. The full effect from it took about 1 week. And, this was about -16 for both systolic and diastolic comparing before and after averages over a week's worth of measurements (132/82 -> 116/66). I know, the before isn't all that high. But, I used to see peaks around 150/90 quite frequently. Now, every once in a while, I'll see a peak around 130/80.

Pal

[CASSIEBEL]

I have been on Altace and Plendil. Altace caused throat problems and Plendil caused rapid heartrate and palpatations. I'm now on Benicar but mine is with the HCTZ. It took about 30 days for me to see any results on the Benicar but after that it has been very consistant.
Before Benicar 142/76 - 173/87
With Benicar 113/67 - 129/70
That may not be perfect for some but it's the best control I've had in years
Cass

[pvsurfer]

Well, I've been on Benicar 20mg for 5 days now and I don't see any effectivity whatsoever! Do you think I should stick it out a while longer? My Dr. picked a fine time to go on vacation!

Btw, just what is HCT/HCTZ (in conjuction with Benicar)?

Thanks...

[zuzu8]

Pvsurfer,

I'd give yourself some more time.

The usual starting dose for Benicar is what you've been started on: 20 milligrams once daily. Usually with this class of drug, the onset of the antihypertensive effect occurs within 1 week but is most likely to reach maxiumum effect after 2 weeks. If your blood pressure hasn't dropped sufficiently after 2 weeks, your doctor may suggest raising the dose to 40 milligrams once a day.

Benicar HCT or HCTZ (same thing) is shorthand for Benicar in combo with hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic.

zuzu xxx