Question: Hello,

I had been taking Diovan HCT, Toprol and Tekturna for some time. The tekturna has been taken away and now hydralazine is replacing it.

I took the hydralazine yesterday for the 1st time and felt very bad pains in my head for about 1 hour (25 minutes after taking the medicine).

Is there a medication to keep the blood pressure at a normal reading, without the BAD side effects of chest pain, bleeding, shortness of breath, palpitations, or worse?

Please let me know what you would recommend me to take with the Toprol XL 25 and Diovan HCT?

I would suggest it to my doctor if you can PLEASE recommend a medicine that is not strong and also has no really bad common side effects.

Maybe you can read my profile and let me know if you have additional questions.

Thank you.

Hi Dr. Shehu,

Thank you for that information.

If I were to keep the Diovan HCT and Toprol (metoroprolol, not sure if I spelled that correctly...probably not), would this it still be okay to add the Amlodipine?

With the strengths I am taking of VALSARTAN (DIOVAN) HCTZ 320/25mg (1x daily) and Toprol 25mg (1x daily), what is the lowest, safest dosage? I don't want my pressure/pulse to go too low, or course. So, what is the low dosage to start with?

When I was taking the Valsartan and Toprol, along with Tekturna, my pressure was under control, for the most part ... like 140/70 or 150/60, depending on day/daily situation.

Are there also very bad side effects with the Amlodipine? I wish I didn't have to take any of these medications. But, if you can fill me on anything dramatic that may occur, please advise.

Thank you very much! : )

Hi again,

Please read the above question. But, I have another regarding the medication you recommend, which is Amlodipine OR Amlodipine Besylate? And the lowest dosage?

Thank you, again.

I am so sorry, but I just realized that you had written that I was having chest pain. I did not experience chest pain, thank God, but the 1st time that I took the hydralazine (3/25/2015), I experienced bad head pain and today (3/26/2015), I had a weird feeling in my head for about one hour.

What is the difference between this drug and the one you recommend? If I do not get chest pain, would the one you recommend still be recommended over the hydralazine?

Thank you!

Dear Doctor,

Thank you, again! I called the doctor's office and unfortunately, my doctor is quite arrogant. He does not want to prescribe this and got annoyed, stating that I should get the medicine from the computer.

Isn't true that Tekturna and Divovan are countraindicated?

What should I do now, aside from finding another doctor, which will take some time? What can I do now to get the medication that you have recommended? I am so upset right now!

Thank you.

Dear Dr. Shehu,

Thanks so much for the additional information.

If you would please let me know if the red leg/swelling is something that is likely to happen. Is 5mg the lowest dosage, because that would be good to see how it works out, if so?

Can this medication cause death? I know some of them state that in the write up.

What are the most common side effects aside from red leg and swelling? Does that mean it would cause inflammation? Just trying to get a good understand.

Today, I took the hydralazine for the 2nd day and very bad headaches soon after and on and off. Plus, I felt strange in my head, just not right.

I appreciate your assistance.

Sincerely.

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

Hi again! I am so sorry to say this, but I had written down the information and several years ago (about 8), I had tried Norvasc and it made me very ill. I had saved this information for my future reference.

I have been taking the Toprol, Diovan HCTZ for almost 5 years and tekturna for 3 years. I am guessing the amlodipine is generic for Norvasc? Sorry, but I had to mention that to you.

Is there something else, with a low dosage and not terrible side effects?

Thank you VERY much!

Sincerely.