Hypertension Drugs
If you have hypertension — high blood pressure — you may think that the only way to control it is to take a drug. But did you know that many classes of hypertension drugs have serious side effects? For instance, beta blockers — such as Lopressor and Toprol-XL (metoprolol), Tenormin…
Over my career as a pharmacist, I’ve been very conscientious about filling prescriptions accurately as prescribed. I’ve also made it a priority to focus on counseling patients on how to take their medications properly and informing them of potential side effects to look out for. Now that I’m on the…
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are most commonly prescribed for high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart disease, but they can also be used to treat scleroderma, migraines, diabetes, kidney disease and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Like any drug, ACE inhibitors can cause serious side effects. Understanding all the facts about…
Nearly 20% of people with hard-to-treat high blood pressure are not taking all of their medication as directed. Even more troubling, an additional 20% don’t take any of the drugs they are prescribed. Resistant hypertension is defined as having high blood pressure despite taking 3 or more medications to control…
Two top physician groups are recommending a less aggressive threshold for beginning treatment of high blood pressure with medication in older adults in good health. A recently issued guideline from the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends that doctors start hypertension drugs…
People who take certain blood pressure-lowering medications may be at an elevated risk of developing mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder. Researchers examined data on more than 144,000 adults with an average age of 56. Just over 32,000 of them were taking one of 4 types of drug to…
People who start certain drugs, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), cardiovascular medicines, over-the-counter pain killers (NSAIDs/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), antipsychotics, antidepressants and anticholinergic agents (used to treat asthma, incontinence) face a higher risk of heat-related illnesses and dehydration that may require a trip to the hospital. Australian researchers conducted an analysis,…
A common drug used to treat high blood pressure may elevate the risk in some patients of a condition in which a person’s white blood cell count is severely diminished, leaving them more susceptible to infection. A recent case study discussed in the American Journal of Case Reports described a…