New Blood Pressure Med Questions

[Riki]

Today my doctor prescribed Coversyl (I believe the generic name is Perindopril) for my blood pressure, which has been on the too-high-for-my-comfort-level side for about two months.  As I do with all medications that I'm not familiar with, i looked it up.  I noticed that one of the medications it can interact with (and there's quite a list) is heparin.  So, my question is, are any of you on (or have been on) this medication?  Since it can react to heparin, should it be taken before or after dialysis?  As a kidney/dialysis patient, should I be taking this at all?  Should I take this back to my neph and tell him that he should be ashamed to have prescribed this to me at all and to shove it up his behind? *L*

[monrein]

I would definitely call him and ask about what your research has revealed.  However telling him to be ashamed and shove it where the sun don't shine seems premature and won't endear you to him.  We kidney patients often take meds or do procedures that aren't "ideal"...it's all about balancing risks and benefits...but we do have to ask every question that we can and fully understand the whys and wherefores.  Our doctors are human.

[Alex C.]

Talk to your doctors about your concerns. Just because a drug is 'more ideal' than another is no guarantee that it will work for you. My nephrologist followed 'ideal' rules and took me off lisinopril last year, and put me on amlodopine. It didn't work, so I went back on lisinoril. It works for me, but it may not work for you.

[jeannea]

He shouldn't be ashamed. Just because there is an interaction doesn't mean it's the wrong choice. Just ask him about it. Sometimes the reaction means that it might make the heparin work better so you need less of it. Every drug is different and none come without side effects.

[Riki]

wow.. you people are too serious.. the last line in my last post was a JOKE...

[jeannea]

So sorry. My sense of humor froze when I went outside and I can't seem to thaw it out.

[Riki]

I got through my first treatment on it without any issues, so I may have been worrying for nothing.. my blood pressure dropped substantially, considering that I only took 2 doses so far