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What Causes Elevated Blood Pressure After Taking Amlodipine Besylate?

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Posted on Wed, 23 Sep 2015
Question: My bp is rising after being prescribed amlodipine resylate 2.5 mg, which doc has increased to 5 mg and added carveilol 3.125 mg. BP continues to rise to over 200/90. I was in the 150/50 range in Left arm and normal range in right arm (120/50) and originally given the amlodipine to lower, but kept increasing and doc added the beta blocker, which seemed to cause a huge jump in BP the day after I started? Have had a vagotomy. Could that have anything to do with it? Weigh 105 lbs and am 5'2", 75 year old female. Am starting to lose weight and have trouble sleeping, headaches, and today have red rash on right leg above knee, about 6" square area that is flat and very red...just burns, no itching. Extremely tired, can't exercise as I used to. Want to stop beta blocker but call to doc has gotten no response...med says not to stop without talking to doc, but think I will anyway. Also on Nexium which doc said to continue past the recommended 14 days, and Welchol for diarrhea...if I stop taking Welchol I return to explosive diarrhea. This is ridiculous. Can you tell me what I should do until I can actually get in to see cardiac doc? Not going to ER, but afraid to do much except sit and stop doing everything!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
seems like you should stop it

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

elevation in the blood pressure after taking a beta blocker, headaches, hypertension, sometimes diarrhea are symptoms of pheochromocytoma. If you're having a high blood pressure after taking the beta blocker then you should discuss stopping it with your doctor. Your doctor knows your complete medical history and is the best person to decide treatment alterations. Since you are taking a low dose, you'll probably have no problems stopping it, so you can stop it until you can talk with your doctor.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (14 minutes later)
That helps to know that I can stop meds until I can contact/see doc. Is the red rash on my leg also a side effect of either the Norvasc or the carvedilol as well? I really was better off before I took either one of those meds...I think?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I don't think so

Detailed Answer:
Although almost every drug may cause rashes, amlodipine and carvedilol are rather unlikely to do that. Investigation is needed for potential secondary hypertension, but that's up to your doctor.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (14 minutes later)
Will take your suggestion to my cardiologist, but may be able to see primary care physician sooner. Would that be in my best interest to see primary care asap? Why do these things happen on holidays?! Have researched pheochromocytoma and the symptoms seem to fit, except this is steadily rising BP, not just bursts. Was told at one time that the vagotomy I had after a perforated ulcer in my mid-40s could have something to do with the erratic BP as well, but no one seems to really know what severing the vagus nerve does as one ages - at least that's what my doctor tells me. Is there any new information on that surgery now that those few of us who had it are now in our later years? I've been unable to find anything at all.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
the vagotomy seems unrelated

Detailed Answer:
The vagotomy affects the stomach acidity only. I can't find any connection to your blood pressure problem. Pheochromocytoma is a rare disease and I don't suggest that you do have it, but you should be checked for it, because your symptoms fit the diagnosis and because you've noticed blood pressure elevations when using the beta blocker.

In any case, in such a high blood pressure problem, investigation for secondary hypertension should be done, including pheochromocytoma and other potential causes.

Your primary care physician should be able to advise you further, so if your cardiologist can't see you soon enough, then you should visit the primary care doctor.

Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3810 Questions

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What Causes Elevated Blood Pressure After Taking Amlodipine Besylate?

Brief Answer: seems like you should stop it Detailed Answer: Hello, elevation in the blood pressure after taking a beta blocker, headaches, hypertension, sometimes diarrhea are symptoms of pheochromocytoma. If you're having a high blood pressure after taking the beta blocker then you should discuss stopping it with your doctor. Your doctor knows your complete medical history and is the best person to decide treatment alterations. Since you are taking a low dose, you'll probably have no problems stopping it, so you can stop it until you can talk with your doctor. I hope you find my comments helpful! You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!