Prazosin vs. Terazosin
Question: What would happen if I used Prazosin (Minipres) as a less costly substitute for terazosin (Hytrin)? I'd be using it on myself.

Answer: For blood pressure or prostatic outlet obstruction? The only way to tell is to start the drug and see the effect. Probably won't be as effective for either one.

Tenormin
Question: Treated with Tenormin for only a day, my husband's blood pressure dropped to such a dangerous level they had to give him an iv of some sort to bring it back up again...just noting side effects for you. It was discontinued and he was fine thereafter.

Answer: Tenormin is a beta-blocker-a selective beta blocker. It is given for many conditions, primarily hypertension and angina pectoris. Some patients are very sensitive to this drug and will bottom their blood pressure or lower their heart rate dramatically. There really is no way to predict who will have a problem. Generally, I start patients on small doses say 12.5 or 25 mg depending on their build/weight. In spite of this, I have about 1 in 100 who really has symptoms.

Uncontrollable Hypertension
Question: I have had high blood pressure for appox. 2 years . I have tried every medication possible, and still my pressure creeps right back up. I suffered from SVT and after unsuccessful attempts at radio frequency ablation, the dr. put in a pacer. I still have high blood pressure and since have developed distended veins in my neck and pressure in neck and head. I have had an echo and blood flow is good. What next? Have there been cases reported where hypertension CANNOT be controlled?

Answer: Most hypertension can be controlled. A better question is what is contributing to your elevated blood pressure. That is high renin, low renin, aldosterone levels etc. Once a patient experiences your problems, a hypertension screen to identify some of these levels is important. I'd raise it with your physician and if he/she is not familiar with them see a specialist in hypertension.

Low Blood Pressure
Question:I have been hospitalized several times for migraines'. Last year they found that my blood pressure is the only thing that is off, it is too low. I'm told there are no meds that will bring it up, but is there anything I can eat that will help, besides salt? I have recently lost 27lbs and have quit eating red meat, and seem to feel much better. I still need to loose 30 more lbs. thanks for your time!

Answer: There is no problem with "low blood pressure" unless it causes you symptoms. These would be dizziness, fainting, etc. If you don't experience these problems-don't worry about it.

Back to Drug InfoNet Home Page.