unpleasant side effects

[Jenzhearts]

hi

My bisoprolol was increased to 10mg 2 weeks ago and Ranolazine was increased to 2x 375mg twice a day.I’m also on 500mg of ramipril along with Amlodipine aspirin and other heart meds.

For the last couple of weeks when I wake up I’m so dizzy it lasts minutes then I get up but I’m also having side effects like extreme tiredness and dizzyness.

The pharmacist asked me how I’m managing and I told her about the side effects she seemed concerned when I told her I’m using my gtn spray if not every day then every other day and wants me to see my GP.

Thing is my GO and cardiac nurse are aware. The other thing is I’ve took my BP in the morning before I get up 2 days in a row.yesterday it was 160/95 and this morning is was 152/103.

I’m slightly concerned that it’s high or is this ok because it’s before I’ve had my meds?

Sorry about the long messsge

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Your pharmacist has suggested you speak with your GP. I suggest you do that irrespective of whether you believe they are aware or not. Write down your concerns before you have the appointment and, if necessary, write your GPs response, especially if you are sceptical. The fact is unless you are still under a cardiologist your GP is responsible for your long term care and medication and will know your medical history to give a professional opinion and will be in a position to adjust your medication if that is required, whereas unfortunately no-one on here has that information so cannot really offer you any facts only layman's opinions. That said the blood pressure readings you have quoted do look high to me, but I am not qualified to comment on that any further.

[Jenzhearts in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thank you for your reply I’m seeing my GP on Thursday so will do as you suggest and write things down to tell him xx

[Petercat1 in reply to Jenzhearts]

Hi.I am on bisoprolol - it started out at 10mg which was 5mg evening and 5mg morning. However I got it changed to 7.5mg and took 2.5mg evening and 5mg morning. I had been getting light headed during the daytime for a long time, so my gp suggested I swap my dose round and have 2.5mg morning and 5mg evening - that seems to have done the trick and not light headed now so worth you investigating the bisoprolol dosage and time taking it woth your gp I think.

Good luck

Denise

[sandandkev]

Your BP is high, the meds last 24hrs so should last until next dose,bisoprolol made me dizzy too and had to reduce the dose

[devonian186]

Have you got those doses correct? I think you might have added in several zeroes.

[Jenzhearts in reply to devonian186]

oh sorry yes it’s 5mg of ramipril twice a day!!! Ranolazine 750mg twice a day bisoprolol 10mg amlodipine 10mg once a day and others like prasugrl 10mg

[devonian186 in reply to Jenzhearts]

If that dose of Ramipril had been what you took every day I think we would have identified the problem!

[scentedgardener]

I can only reply about BP; if I were you I would take BP about an hour after your meds, it will give you an idea of how controlled it is. If you can spare the time take it before as well. Record your readings for about 10 days and pass to your GP. Ask them for a target BP.I had a review with our clinical pharmacist and she asked me if I was aware of my target BP, first I'd heard of ut.

[Jenzhearts in reply to scentedgardener]

Yes the nurse told me that they want my BP to be under 130 just took it an hour ago and it’s 141/96 so it’s come down 😀

[devonian186 in reply to Jenzhearts]

How rushed is your BP measurement? If you take them before you get up i.e. presumably before you get dressed, then you might not be taking them under ideal conditions.

As you know, the cuff needs to be at heart level and you need to be calm and still for five minutes before measurement.

[Wanderinglady]

I was dizzy and extremely tired when I first started on Bisoprolol. I was taking them in the morning. The cardiac nurse suggested I take them in the evening instead, which I do at 9:30 pm. This seems to have done the trick. Talk to your GP or cardiologist (if you have one and can get hold of them).

[Jenzhearts in reply to Wanderinglady]

I’m seeing my GP in the morning so il ask him about taking them in the evening but I also think it’s the Ranolazine as they have upped that from 500-750mg last Friday and the dizzyness/tiredness has got worse.I’m on the waiting list for Cardiology it’s an urgent referral 3 weeks ago so I’m hoping I won’t be waiting too long.thanks for your reply xx

[Wanderinglady in reply to Jenzhearts]

I also take Ranolazine 750x 2 a day but don’t get dizzy from them, my dosage was increased to that in March. We all react differently I think. Let us know how you get on at the GPS xx

[thekeys46]

hi, I’m on similar meds. My BP is high in the morning prior to my meds. Mid day it tends to be low( for me) and high again prior to taking my meds before bed. I had a 24 hour BP monitor and cardiologist was happy with the average readings. Definitely happy talking to your GP though xx

[Jenzhearts in reply to thekeys46]

Sounds exactly like me! It’s low mid day to late afternoon then starts climbing again.I’ve just been reading my discharge notes and I have severe LAD disease and mild in the RCA and LCX arteries.that could explain my unstable angina pain xx