Suitable drugs for hypertension

[Jelbea]

I am due to see my GP on Wednesday and I know we will be having a conversation about my raised blood pressure (in the region of 159/70). I already know calcium channel blockers are not good for RLS and I cannot take beta blockers which make my heart go much too slow.

Could any of you good folk give me advice on what I might be able to ask for? I appreciate your help. Thank you

[SueJohnson]

There are a number of possibilities: Isosorbide Mononitrate (Monoket, Imdur) is a nitrate that relaxes the blood vessels and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. It is not a beta blocker nor a calcium channel blocker. There are ace inhibitor such as Zestril (Lisinopril, Qbrelis, Prinivil) and Perindopril (Coversyl). Other possibilities are: Clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay) an Alpha-2-Agonist used to treat high blood pressure and insomnia and may help RLS, tenex (Guanfacine, Intuniv), prazosin (Minipress) an alpha-adrenergic blocker that treats high blood pressure and is useful in managing sleep-related problems caused by PTSD and Tadalafil (Cialis, Adcirca), a Vasodilator that- in one study completely eliminated RLS. Discuss these with your doctor to find the one that is appropriate for you.

[Jelbea in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you so much Sue for your list of possible anti-hypertensives. I shall go armed with this information in case I should need it. I do not know how much this GP knows or cares about restless legs as I am not long with her.

[Madlegs1]

I have been diagnosed with hypertension and given Amlopidine 5mg which brought BP down to 150, then added Olmersatin which further reduced BP to 120s.I have not noticed any side effects with either. RlS or swollen ankles etc, that many complain about.

It is well worth trying any medication that may improve health. You may be a lucky patient and not be affected .

Fingers crossed!!

[Jelbea in reply to Madlegs1]

Thank you Madlegs for your reply and I am glad you have control of your BP. I intend to go armed with this information in case GP is unaware of RLS connection and some BP medications.

Hopefully I shall be lucky and get control too. Good Wishes

[SueJohnson in reply to Jelbea]

I would not recommend Amlopidine even though Madlegs1 is not bothered by it (we are all different), because it is a calcium channel blocker and they usually make RLS worse. I don't know anything about Olmersatin.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to SueJohnson]

Olmesartan (Olmetec, Benicar) is an Angiotensin II receptor blocker like Losartan (Cozaar). I take Losartan without any RLS problems, but I think that it's on your naughty step as being bad for most RLS sufferers?

I don't know whether that suggests that Olmesartan is likely to be problematic for most as well?

[SueJohnson in reply to ChrisColumbus]

That's interesting as I have another Angiotensin II receptor blocker that I have listed as not finding anything bad about. I don't know why I have it on my bad list but will take it off.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to SueJohnson]

My RLS is I guess mild compared with many, and I've never been damaged by DAs, so I wouldn't rule it out as problematic for some. But I also wonder sometimes whether people taking multiple meds might on occasion misidentify the cause of their symptoms...

[Jumpey]

Hi I have taken a calcium channel blocker for many years without any adverse effects on my RLS.

[Jelbea in reply to Jumpey]

Hi Jumpey. Thank you very much for your response. I hope I can get a suitable treatment but with all the help on the site here I am sure I shall. Good Wishes

[Jumpey in reply to Jelbea]

You will. Sometimes it's trial and error for HBP.It was for me.And none of the drugs I trialled affected my legs.Good luck.

[Renaul]

calcium channel blockers have a huge affect on my RLS and I have just stopped taking them again to gain some peace. I have tried several different one and find muscle and joint pain and increased RLS eventually becomes unbearable and I stop the medication.

I will make a not of Sue’s suggestion to show my GP.

[Jelbea in reply to Renaul]

Hi Renaul - I was tried with a calcium channel blocker about two years ago and could not take it with severe RLS. It was stopped and as my BP was not much raised nothing else was suggested.

I saw my GP this morning and we have agreed that I should start the lowest dose of Losartan 12.5 mg. daily and see how things go. I shall post up the result in due course.

Good Luck in trying to get something which will give you more peace. Peace is something which is hard to come by when you suffer RLS.

[jilk]

any food with starch in it will take my usual BP 120/72 to 160/82 in one day. If i indulge in a slice if bread for example i will take my BP then amlo 5mg once only and refrain from starch

[Jelbea in reply to jilk]

Hello jilk - Thank you for your reply and it is interesting about the starch. I have just been diagnosed with slight type 2 diabetes and at present am trying to cut down on carbohydrates as starch. You say you take Amlo 5 mg. - is this amlodipine? I ask as some people on this site have mentioned amlodipine as worsening their RLS.

I have been started on the lowest dose of Losartan for my hypertension and am hoping it does not affect RLS. However, I shall post details of how I get on.

Good Wishes

[jilk in reply to Jelbea]

this is amlodipine but I might only take one tablet once a month, to counter a reaction to the smallest amount of starch. I am now going o focus on dr Chandler Marrs (Vit B1 the mitachondria the gateway to energy). nothing happens without the right amount of vit b1