Blood Pressure and Water Tablets

BLOOD PRESSURE TABLETS

There are many tablets available to bring your blood pressure down. Different people respond better to the different sorts. Your doctor will have chosen the tablet most suitable for you. A combination of a few tablets is often needed to have the effect wanted.

AMLODIPINE (Istin) is usually taken once a day in the morning. Side effects can include headache, dizziness, and ankle swelling.

ATENOLOL is usually taken once a day in the morning. Side effects can include tiredness.

DOXAZOSIN (Cardura) is taken once or twice a day. Side effects can include dizziness, headache, feeling sick - try taking with food.

ENALAPRIL (Innovace) is usually taken once or twice a day. Side effects can include fatigue, feeling sick - try taking with food. Sometimes you may get a dry cough, if this occurs tell your doctor who may be able to consider an alternative for you.

LISINOPRIL (Carace / Zestril), PERINDOPRIL (Coversyl) and RAMIPRIL (Tritace) are usually taken once a day in the evening. Side effects can include fatigue, feeling sick - try taking with food. Sometimes you may get a dry cough; if this occurs, tell your doctor who may be able to consider an alternative for you.

NIFEDIPINE is used to reduce your blood pressure. You should avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice for one hour before taking the tablets. Side effects can include headache, flushing and ankle swelling. Nifedipine comes as different forms of tablets, or capsules. Please follow the directions for the type given to you.

WATER TABLETS (DIURETICS)

Water tablets are used to help your kidneys remove extra fluid. They are best taken in the morning; taking them at night could keep you running to the toilet in the night. There are two main tablets used:- BUMETANIDE and FRUSEMIDE. they are usually taken in the morning and possibly at lunchtime as well. Side effects can include dizziness or feeling sick - try taking the tablets with food.

METOLAZONE is a more aggressive water tablet used occasionally. When used it can be taken daily or just a few days a week depending on you. Side effects can include dizziness or feeling sick - try taking the tablets with food.

Store all your tablets in their original containers, in a cool dry place out of the reach of children. Only remove them from the bottle/box when it is time to take them.

Always take your tablets as directed by your doctor and only stop them on the advice of your doctor.

All tablets may cause side effects in some people. If you think that you are suffering from a side effect of one of your tablets it is important NOT to stop taking the tablet, but see your doctor who will be able to change that tablet for one which will suit you better.

All the tablets in this page are listed by drug name. All medications have another name, a “brand” name which will be different, some tablets are made by more than one manufacturer (like Cadbury’s = brand, and chocolate = what it is). Look for the drug name on the box, and don’t be confused by the other name. Be aware that different brands will look different but will have the same effect.

NKF Controlled Document No. 81, Blood Pressure and Water Tablets, written 22 April 2000. Last reviewed 25 May 2009.

The National Kidney Federation cannot accept responsibility for information provided. The above is for guidance only. Patients are advised to seek further information from their own doctor.

The National Kidney Federation is registered in England and Wales as a Company limited by guarantee (Company No 5272349)
and awarded charitable status (Charity Number 1106735).

Give as You Earn contributions No. CAF GY511.

Page created: 22 April 2000

Last updated: 29 April 2009

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