Recommended change in meds

[50568789]

Good six month review post ablation with consultant who confirmed in letter to GP recommendation to reduce (by half) betablocker (atenolol) dose. Does the GP have to accept recommendation, or may they have other ideas? Should I wait for response from GP or be proactive and just reduce dose anyway , who knows how long it will take for them to review and change prescription?

[CDreamer]

I would be proactive - ring GP and ask for appointment asap.

What I would be very careful of is splitting tablets if you are halving the dose, you don’t say what dose you are on or tablet dosage. Do check with your Pharmacist if in any doubt as many tablets are coated and therefore should NOT be split.

Very general rule of thumb - if there is a line across the tablet then it may be safe to split. If not then you will need a new prescription so you will need to see or speak to your GP anyway but I would still be proactive and certainly not wait for the surgery as you may be waiting forever for them to change the script.

Hope that helps.

[50568789 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks, that sounds the right thing to do. I am currently on one 100mg tablet a day, it does have a line, so easy to split. The frustration is that the letter, received by post a week ago, is still not showing on NHS app, seems to take for ever for GP surgery to process it, or has it got lost?

[Buzby62 in reply to 50568789]

I would contact the surgery, ask if they have the letter on their system and if it’s been read yet by a doctor. The receptionist should be able to tell you that. If they don’t have it, contact the consultant’s secretary to resend. If they have it, ask for it to be actioned as you need the amended prescription please. Follow consultants instructions and chase the GP to do the same.

Best wishes

[50568789 in reply to Buzby62]

Thanks. Spoke to GP surgery who say they have not received letter, have asked me to take a copy in so they can action. Must have slipped through a crack (there's a lot of it about).

[Buzby62 in reply to 50568789]

My guess is the secretary sent you the paper copy and the consultant needs to tick a box electronically for it to show on your app and the GP system. It’s a shame but sometimes we have to bypass these systems that are meant to make things better in order to get things done. A quick call or email to the secretary might resolve it.

Best wishes

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to CDreamer]

Hi

After seen by Specialist he/she will send a report to GP. I always ask for a copy.

The GP changes or will go your word of what he said.

1/2ing the IPCA Bisoprolol 2.5 (which supposed to be coated) has a 1/2 lie down it.

It dissolves in the mouth immediately without watere but sakiva.

In NZ we can't get a 1.25mg which would be better for me.

Nurse says 1.25mg pill or none.

cheri JOY

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Generally GP will jump in line to your Heart Specialist's directions.

cherio JOY 75 (NZ)