This is really weird, any ideas?

[Gram4]

I took Enalapril 10mg 1x day for yrs it was fine kept the BP down but then I started coughing & trouble swallowing. Went for test found nothing so tried another med, Dr gave me Benicar samples but it was terrible too many side effecs. I finally went back to Enalapril not know what to take. This time for some reason it's not working told Dr he sd take 20mg I did & still not working my BP is 155/92 which is not good. I called the pharmacist & asked if the enalapril was a generic since it says Gneric for Enalapril in small writing. He sd no Enapril is the brand name but I think he is wrong. I can't figure out why after taking it for yrs it would not change my high readings like it used to. Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Lenin]

gramp.

Enalapril (more precisely enalapril maleate) is the GENERIC...the most popular and first patented brand was called VASOTEC and was a hugely popular drug (with doctors) and extremely proftable for Merck while the patent held sway.

VERY common side effect is the endless coughing.

A problem with ACE inhibitors is that the body learns different routs to make angiotensin-2 and then the pills become worthless. That might have happened with you. THe usual route is to then switch to an ARB which is weaker but causes far less coughing and you don't develop a tolerance to it. Usually a diuretic is needed with it.

Wow, that pharmacist sounds like he should change to a less taxing occupation...perhaps mopping the store?

[Gram4]

Excuse my ignorance but was is an ARB? You are right about the pharmacist, my wife looked it up on the net right away & saw it. I think you almost have to tell the Dr too what one you want or he plays around with his samples & you are the guinea pig! I gotta get this BP down! thanks alot

[Gram4]

My wife looked up ARB's so you don't have to waste your time which is probably busy writing it all. The only thing I would like to ask (since I think you're smart) is what have you heard is a good diurectic people take? Thanks alot

[Lenin]

Thiazides, primarily HCTZ<hydrochlorothiazide> are fine and you can take them once a day or even every second day. They work by expelling salt from the body and the water follows the salt out and lowers BP. They work best for those most sensitive to salt.

Anither class of diuretics are "loop diuretics" that work in a different part of the kidney and expel primarily water which of course comes back quickly. The commonest, Lasix <furosemide> must thus be taken at least TWICE a day.

Thiazide can deplete sodium easily...Lasix can deplete potassium easily. Lasix is supposed to have less of an effect on erectability for men.

Both are very cheap old generic drugs.