BP Meds & Side Effects

There are many different types of BP or blood pressure medications available with a prescription from your doctor. Despite their differences, blood pressure medications do pose similar risks for some side effects.

Types of Side Effects

• Common side effects of blood pressure medications include weakness, tiredness, drowsiness, cold extremities, depression, insomnia, nightmares, irregular heart rate, skin rashes, loss of taste, dry mouth, ankle swelling, leg cramps, headaches, dizziness, constipation and fevers.

Time Frame

• The common side effects from blood pressure medications are most common when you first begin treatment. Frequently, these side effects diminish over a period of months as your body becomes acclimated to the medication.

Hyperkalemia

• A rare, but serious risk of blood pressure medications is hyperkalemia, a condition where levels of potassium in your bloodstream become too high, causing damage to cardiovascular system and muscles. People who take potassium supplements with blood pressure medication are at an ever greater risk for the condition.

Considerations

• Since many blood pressure medications cause drowsiness or dizziness, avoid driving a car or operating heavy machinery until you know how your blood pressure medication affects you. Because discontinuing treatment may result in a dangerous spike in blood pressure, never stop taking your blood pressure medications without talking to your doctor.

Solution

• In some cases, combining low doses of two blood pressure medications decreases the side effects of treatment. Talk to your doctor about this option if side effects from blood pressure medications interfere with your daily activities.