HAS ANYONE TAKEN HYDRALAZINE FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Angela, thank you but Losartan, as I mentioned, was/is the only drug I have tolerated to date but it isn't controlling the blood pressure at all obviously.  Valsartan is one I haven't tried - it sounds as though it is from the same family of drugs as Losartan.  

Thank you nellgywn - sadly, Doxazosin proved a no-no for me when added to my Losartan - itching/scratching day and night - proven by skin biopsy.  However, I'm not too sure that the itching problem really rested with Losartan which although fine at 50mg, that in itself caused a crazy itch when increased to 100mg after removing the Doxazosin.  Therein lies a problem sometimes when more than one drug is prescribed.

It's tough, isn't it. Before starting on Doxazosin, I upped my Irbesartan in 2013 to 150mg to cope with a sudden rise in BP, after having taken only 37.5mg for years - stressful home situation - and I started having dreams that I was getting stabbed in my legs, because in real life, the pain the drug was causing in my legs was unbearable!

They tried augmenting Irbesartan with Atenolol, and I had a massive skin reaction, which I still have to use Elecon for to this day.

Then they tried Amlodopine and I ended up unable to move.

As a sort of semi last ditch attempt, the doc prescribed 1mg of Doxazosin, which had an immediate effect on my BP, but made my heart race insanely.

It took a while, but my body got used to it, and it still pretty much works at 1mg.

And yes, I know that itch. But it only happens now when I'm very hot.

What helped more than anything was getting an amazing cardiologist. Different doctors had been nagging at me incessantly because my BP was always high when I saw them, but not at home. They didn't care I had White Coat Syndrome. Numbers are numbers after all!

However, this cardiologist, and I mentioned this on another thread, said 140/90 is within normal limits, and that he should know, because he wrote the most recent BP directives for the EU.

Before that, I was taking my BP about 8 times a day, 5 times per session, making sure it was at least 90/60 - in many instances it was 76/49 - just to keep those other doctors quiet!!!

Now I never take my BP at home, and I stick to 1mg of Doxazosin only.

I know that doesn't answer your question, but if you could take Losartan and Doxazosin at lower doses, you might find you have less insane itching and a better blood pressure reading...

Hi I too have itching on valsartan and also burning legs. Do you think this is the cause? I can't stand it anymore. I am unable to take calcium channel blockers and potassium as well as furosemide. Please can someone help ? Thanks.

Yes, Angela, as Valsartan comes under the same class of BP drug as Losartan, it's possible if my experience at 100mg of Losartan a while ago is anything to go by.  Before the skin biopsy, I was up through the night putting cream all over.  Over-the-counter antihistamine did nothing to help so the GP prescribed a stronger antihistamine which was a little more effective.

Thank you nellgywn, but having tried Losartan and Doxazosin together each at low doses, the itching was unbearable.  I'm so glad you have found something that works for you. No doubt my sole kidney disease is contributing to my blood pressure problem and vice versa - catch 22 situation!

That's a shame! I hope you find something that works for you very soon

Thanks Mike - the Losartan is to be continued with the Hydralazine added.  They are different classes of drugs - the Losartan being an Angiotensin Receptor Blocker and the Hydralazan being a Vascodilator.  Don't like the look of the description/common side effects.  It is described as a "strong" drug by the Mayo Clinic usually only prescribed where other drugs have failed and with other medications often needed to counteract the side effects.  Have also read that it isn't recommended in the case of rheumatic leaky mitral heart valves.  Well, don't know about the "rheumatic" side of it but I do have a diagnosed leaky mitral valve.  Did I say that I was an awkward patient.  As the consultant I saw yesterday said, "the other alternative is not to treat it but that would be wrong".  When he took the BP and saw the reading, he kept asking me if I had a headache or whether I felt dizzy - I didn't, but I thought admitting me might have been on the cards!  Had a job to fall off to sleep last night with stroke/heart attack fears on my mind!  Don't even want to take my blood pressure myself as I will panic more if it's still high!

MrsO-UK Surrey...Sorry you had such a traumatic experience. It was natural for the Dr. to ask if you had a heachache or if you felt dizzy because of the high bp reading. I'm sure you told the Dr. about the leaky mitral valve. Usually at the ER patients are treated for extremely high bp., until it goes down to a safe level. Then of course the patient is told to "see your family doctor". 

I can well understand why you felt the way you did when it came time to go to sleep. Actually, & I do mean this with total respect, you didn't do yourself any favours. It's easy for me to say, because I'm not in your situation, but worrying about it only drives the numbers UP., AND you jip yourself out of a good night's rest which is very important. If you were to take your bp while feeling this way, I'd almost guarantee that it would be high...because you're upset/worried about it.Why on earth a Dr. would say.."the other alternative is not to treat it but that would be wrong"...is beyond me. In a situation such as yours, it MUST be treated. I scratch my head at the attitude of some Dr.s these days.

Anyway., I do hope things start to turn around. Please let me know how it gets on.

Thank you, Mike.  No, I didn't mention the mitral valve problem to the consultant as, not knowing anything about the proposed new drug, I wasn't aware of it having possible contraindications until I came home and checked the web.  I have to take the form from the hospital to the GP tomorrow to get the surgery to write the prescription so I will query it with the GP.  Thanks for your good wishes.

MrsO-UK Surrey....Goodmorning!..(at least it's morning here in Canada!!!). Sometimes what we read on the web can be misleading. You haven't filled the prescription as yet, which is a good thing. Whatever you do, be sure to ask about the contraindication. Sometimes a contraindication is there, but doesn't necessarily apply to the particular patient. 

Goodmorning again, Mrs. O-UK Surrey...Wow, you certainly are between a rock & a hard place!

The leaflet for the medication specifically says "Do not take if you have heart valve problems (aortic or mitral stenosis)..yet the Dr. says it's ok. I'd be inclined to consult the Pharmacist about the medication.

If the Pharmacist refers you to the leaflet, that tells you something., then I'd get back to the Dr. & express my concerns. Remember, the GP is not a Cardiologist.Truly, don't let this go..& whatever you do, please try not to let this make you anxious. I'm here if you want to write notes. I'll help as much as I can.

Mrs O-UK Surrey...OK...a 25mg dose to start is small. This could be a good thing!!!! A small dose may not cause you any problems, which is why the Dr. prescribed it. You could still check with the Pharmacist though. They do know more about the drugs than any doctor. This is their specialty! 

You've already decided that is the Hydralazine interferes, you'd come off it. Good thinking. I do hope you have a Dr with whom you can speak with candidly, & in a relaxed fashion. Mine is just that way. If I'm very hesitant about something, I ask him, & he more than willingly explains things, or assures me. I trust the man implicitly. Please keep me updated.

MrsO-UK Surrey...I agree, it seems like a stock answer from the Pharmacist., but I must admit that it makes sense that the Dr wouldn't have prescribed it had he not been confident. 

It usually takes 10days to 2 weeks for medicines to be effective, so shortly you should have an idea as to what's going on. A lot of doctors expect a patient to be on a med for a month, but I don't agree with that.

If a patient is feeling ill & knows full well the ill feeling is side effects of a new medication, then why have them suffer for a month? 

Key here is for you to relax which you plan on doing. Yes please..let me know if anything changes.

I'm so grateful we have this forum to display our feelings about things, what we're experiencing with various meds, etc.etc. It has helped me greatly.