During the recent heatwave I was starting to get dizzy spells and discovered my BP dropped to 82/47 in late morning and early afternoon. I take my BP meds at 8am, so it was just about when they peak in the bloodsteam. I suspected dehydration. However, drinking more fluid didn't help. It just meant I spent more time peeing. Called the GP about halving my Indapamide 2.5mg tablet and he said try stopping altogether.
Well for 4 days it was magic. No dizziness and BP good. I felt great. But Day 5 my BP went up and now peaks around 145/95, although acceptable at other times.
The bad news is that I am now feeling fatigue and real problems on the stairs. I think it's possibly the extra fluid my heart is having to deal with. I have put on a kg.
I now researched and discovered there is a slow release Indapamide 1.5mg which sounds as if it would smooth out those dips in BP that made me dizzy. Clinical trials show it's just as effective as the standard 2.5 tabs and better at maintaining potassium levels. But here's the problem...according to NICE advice to GPS in 2017 it's more expensive and NICE doesn't promote its use. Even so I would like to try it.
So is anyone taking this slow release version? If so how did you get the GP to give it to you?
(Context:I take other meds for Atrial Fibrillation and have a pacemaker for bradycardia which only kicks in when needed)
Written by
Coco51
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Coco, you’ve done a lot of useful research! I haven’t anything useful to say, other than a chat with your pharmacist might be a good idea. He or she could write to your doctor with a recommendation (my pharmacist did this for my husband though not the same situation as you).
Worth trying the 1.5 slow release and seeing if it works for you.
Remember that diuretics are a very cheap class of drug, so the the added expense of this particular tablet is likely to be very marginal at best.
Also there is such a thing as patient choice.
So if you feel that the 1.5mg would be a better option for you than the 2.5mg, then you are the one who has to take the tablets, so it is also your right to be happy with what you are taking and to insist on taking the tablet and dose that feels right for you.
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