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Is Discontinuing Of Olmetec Tablet Advisable For A Person With High BP?
Question: Good afternoon
My father is 54 and has high blood pressure. His father had 2 heart attacks in his 50's and so he has been put on blood pressure tablets called OLMETEC.
Since taking these tablets, he has developed kidney pains so last week he stopped taking the OLMETEC and took asprin instead and the pain subsided. He was then advised by a nurse friend that it was a bad idea to stop taking OLMETEC as it could confuse the body, so he took another olmetec yesterday and the kidney pain is back.
He is in France for the next 3 weeks so cannot get to his GP for advice. My question is, is it safe for him to stop taking the Olmetec until he returns to the UK, so his GP can reassess the medication?
Many thanks and kind regards
XXXX
My father is 54 and has high blood pressure. His father had 2 heart attacks in his 50's and so he has been put on blood pressure tablets called OLMETEC.
Since taking these tablets, he has developed kidney pains so last week he stopped taking the OLMETEC and took asprin instead and the pain subsided. He was then advised by a nurse friend that it was a bad idea to stop taking OLMETEC as it could confuse the body, so he took another olmetec yesterday and the kidney pain is back.
He is in France for the next 3 weeks so cannot get to his GP for advice. My question is, is it safe for him to stop taking the Olmetec until he returns to the UK, so his GP can reassess the medication?
Many thanks and kind regards
XXXX
Brief Answer:
He needs to continue to take the medicine
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have very carefully gone through your query. Let me mention that it is not safe for him to stop taking Olmetec for the time being. He needs to continue the medicine till he returns to UK and sees his GP.
I understand your concerns about the pain. I appreciate the fact that he is getting a pain when he is on Olmetec. But I would need more details in this regard. The kidneys are located very deep and the pain in kidneys is felt in the back, if at all. So, I doubt if it is kidneys that you are talking about. In any case, please try to describe the pain, its onset, its triggers, whether it lasts thoughout the day or whether there are triggers and relieving factors associated, most importantly the exact location of the pain.
I have a vague idea that the pain could be due to gastritis or hyperacidity caused due to the medicine. In that case, taking prilosec (omeprazole - an OTC medicine) should help.
Regards
He needs to continue to take the medicine
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have very carefully gone through your query. Let me mention that it is not safe for him to stop taking Olmetec for the time being. He needs to continue the medicine till he returns to UK and sees his GP.
I understand your concerns about the pain. I appreciate the fact that he is getting a pain when he is on Olmetec. But I would need more details in this regard. The kidneys are located very deep and the pain in kidneys is felt in the back, if at all. So, I doubt if it is kidneys that you are talking about. In any case, please try to describe the pain, its onset, its triggers, whether it lasts thoughout the day or whether there are triggers and relieving factors associated, most importantly the exact location of the pain.
I have a vague idea that the pain could be due to gastritis or hyperacidity caused due to the medicine. In that case, taking prilosec (omeprazole - an OTC medicine) should help.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Good morning
The paid is described as flank pain, below the ribs, in the 'love handle' area, but deeper. It is a constant ache that he is continually aware of that causes discomfort, particularly when pressure is exerted, i.e when turning to reverse the car, or bending down. This causes him to wince in pain. When he stopped taking the olmetec over 5 days the pain dramatically subsided, and then when he took the meds again it returned.
Now he is just taking half a dose every other day but very reluctantly. What are the actual risks of stopping entirely?
Many thanks
The paid is described as flank pain, below the ribs, in the 'love handle' area, but deeper. It is a constant ache that he is continually aware of that causes discomfort, particularly when pressure is exerted, i.e when turning to reverse the car, or bending down. This causes him to wince in pain. When he stopped taking the olmetec over 5 days the pain dramatically subsided, and then when he took the meds again it returned.
Now he is just taking half a dose every other day but very reluctantly. What are the actual risks of stopping entirely?
Many thanks
Brief Answer:
He would be susceptible to stroke
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for replying and for detailing the situation. The pain could also be due to spasm of the muscles of the back caused due to electrolyte imbalance. Taking juicy fruits like citrus fruits should help. After he returns back, he could be shifted to a different antihypertensive.
If he stops taking antihypertensive medication, the BP could jump and increase the risks of stroke and other cerebro or cardiovascular accidents.
Regards
He would be susceptible to stroke
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for replying and for detailing the situation. The pain could also be due to spasm of the muscles of the back caused due to electrolyte imbalance. Taking juicy fruits like citrus fruits should help. After he returns back, he could be shifted to a different antihypertensive.
If he stops taking antihypertensive medication, the BP could jump and increase the risks of stroke and other cerebro or cardiovascular accidents.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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