Blood pressure pills

[hedgehogan]

Hi there,

I understand there are quite a lot of different medicines to treat high blood pressure. Can people share their experience in terms of which ones you have tried and are effective while having minimal side effects?

Thanks in advance

[Madlegs1]

It seems to differ for everyone.

Personally I'm on Amlodipine 5mg, and Olmersatin 10mg.

They are working well and I've had no side effects. For me!

It is important to spread the medication if extra is needed- ie - not just increase the first one, but to add another variety-- mainly to help avoid any potential side effects.

Good luck.

[hedgehogan in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks so much Madlegs. Yes I heard getting a combination of different pills is better than just having one with a stronger dose. Did you get offered this combination straight away or was it through trial and error? I understand Olmersatin can make you feel dizzy and tired... Was it an issue for you?

Thanks

[Madlegs1 in reply to hedgehogan]

I was started on Amlodipine and then ,after a few months, the Olmersatin was added.

I'm 78, so "dizzy and tired" are just part of the territory -- but I didn't experience any particular side effects.

[hedgehogan in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks Madlegs much appreciated

[hedgehogan in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks Madlegs much appreciated

[Happyrosie]

what suits me might not suit you! Have a look at the website of Blood Pressure UK. This charity’s website delves a bit deeper into what there is.

[hedgehogan in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks happyrosie

Yup totally understand that but I've read a variety of websites and documents already and while they can be very informative, it's always nice to hear real perspectives from real people but I do recognise that my result might be very different from others

[Happyrosie in reply to hedgehogan]

Ok if that’s what you need then just put the names of the medications in which you are interested in the search box (top left) and see what people have said about them.

[bluedolphin2]

I take Losartan 50mg once a day,I get no side effects.A friend of mine who got given Ramipil, said it give him a dry cough.

But until your Doctor subscribes one, it normally takes 3 months to take effect anyway.

Try and see with all new medication.😊

[hedgehogan in reply to bluedolphin2]

Thanks bluedolphin, that's useful to know

[SeaDog100]

Hi there. Everyone is very different. Some people find the right one straight away. I was diagnosed 20 years ago in my late twenties and had only mild side effects with Amlodipine (Palpitations) and none with Perindropril for quite a few years.

However, sometimes it can be very much about trial and error. I’m now on my 4th type of BP medication in the past two years as I now seem to be prone to suffering side effects. It has been a bit frustrating but I’m staying optimistic as there are still more to try! I’m not letting you know to put you off, but just so that if you do get any side effects, you know you’re not alone. Some doctors have been very good about it and others have made me feel like I’m the only one. So far, I’ve had the following side effects. They have all been severe enough to be debilitating.

- ACE inhibitors - Breathlessness / Cough / Fatigue

- Calcium channel blockers - Breathlessness / Palpitations / Rhinitis

- Alpha Blockers - Insomnia / Fatigue / Low mood

- Diuretics - Nocturia / Insomnia / Fatigue (I’m waiting for test results as this may be due to something else!)

A lot of people don’t experience side effects at all or they have side effects with one drug but not others. Don’t be too disheartened if the first one you try isn’t the right one.

Hope that helps.

[hedgehogan in reply to SeaDog100]

Thank you seadog, really appreciate your response. Totally understand everyone will have different reactions to different drugs but appreciate you sharing yours.

[peege]

Hi, we're all different of course, what suits one doesn't necessarily suit another. I was dx a year or so ago (over the phone 🙄) after the 7 day home test. First px amlodipine but my skinny ankles swelled progressively so changed to Ramiplril. It seems I'm having no side effects - mind you I've not tested BP for months, my bad & I've had a some extreme dizzy spells over the last 48 hours. Historically my BP was lower than normal and only went up to normal during pregnancies. Familial high cholesterol & Hereditary Stroke in the family (sister, mum & both maternal g'parents). I always find a thorough read of all the drug leaflets useful, for ie I read that amlodipine isn't compatible with Atvorstatin. You'd think prescribers would know but I've been blue lighted to hospital due to prescription error so double check for myself.

[hedgehogan in reply to peege]

Thanks peege, sorry to hear you were hospitalised due to px error. Yes I tried to read all the side effects etc before I start using any medication which is kind of why I am trying to get as much information as I can before talking to my GP. Thanks for your response

[peege in reply to hedgehogan]

In hindsight it was an eye opener, at the time I thought "oh the rules myxt have changed from ibuprofen/ asthma plus very strong antibiotic/ stomach ulcer. The GP was apologetic every time I saw him, told me he'd learned a lesson. We definitely need to advocate for ourselves especially nowadays

[Catlover1981]

Hi

I was on Ramipril, Amlodipine and Doxazosin and I still had readings in 180s but in August this year I was taken off the blood pressure medication starting afresh with Candesartan 8mg then following an emergency admission they added Indapamide and I now have readings of 120/80! I took it in the GP reception area just in case I have a faulty machine!

Horrible I had to go to hospital for my BP meds to be sorted. I have no side effects starting Indapamide but Candesartan I vomited for the first 3 days of starting it but it settled down. Ramipril gave me a cough and Amlodipine made my ankles swell up. Doxazosin gave me no side effects. I hope you find the right combination of medication for you but sometimes it takes time to find the right medication for you. I personally feel it was because of me losing my dad I didn’t want to know my health at the time

[hedgehogan in reply to Catlover1981]

Thank you catlover for sharing; that was really useful to know

[Calhoun113]

Anyone know anything about Nattokinase? It is a natural enzyme in natto, a Japanese soy-based food. Supposedly helps lower BP.

[hedgehogan in reply to Calhoun113]

I've heard of it but not tried it. There are some research suggesting it has moderate impact on lowering blood pressure but more research is required. It's not the best tasting thing in the world. I understand in some places you can buy them in capsule form so that may be an option if you are wanting to try it without having to taste the natto beans. If you are taking bp meds already you may want to be careful that the combination doesn't lower your BP too much

[Calhoun113]

Thanks. Not on any meds yet. Looking at alternatives