High blood pressure can be a serious condition if not treated properly. High blood pressure medication can help save your life, but some can have bothersome side effects. By working with your physician and pharmacist, you can learn lessen the side effects of your high blood pressure medication.
Instructions
1. Ask your doctor about taking potassium supplements or eating more foods with potassium if you are taking diuretics, which can cause fatigue, cramps or weakness.
2. Recognize that if you're a diabetic, diuretics for high blood pressure can raise your blood sugar level, but this can be managed through diet or simple drug alterations made by your doctor.
3. Realize that with some drugs such as peripheral adrenergic inhibitors (Reserpine), you may feel weak or faint when you stand up or change positions. If you notice this side effect, sit or lie down for a little while. Contact your doctor if the problem persists.
4. Tell your doctor if you experience nightmares, insomnia or depression when taking peripheral adrenergic inhibitors; you should discontinue the medicine. These type of drugs can cause other side effects such as diarrhea or heartburn that can be managed by adjusting the dosage.
5. Wait out any side effects that are just a little bothersome. It takes time for your body to get used to a new medicine. Remember that your doctor believes the benefits of the blood pressure drug outweigh the risks.
6. Ask your doctor to let you try out a different drug if the side effects are too much for you to take, With so many types of drugs to choose from, you may be able to find a blood pressure medication that successfully lowers your blood pressure with fewer side effects.
Tags: your doctor, blood pressure, side effects, blood pressure medication, pressure medication, adrenergic inhibitors, blood pressure