Hypertension Patient Counseling

Simple tips for Patient Counseling of Anti-Hypertensive drugs to provide best use of medications.

1. Hypertension
Patient Counseling

2. All Hypertension Medications
You may not feel that you have high blood pressure, asoften there are
no obvious symptoms.
It is important that you continue using this medication, even if you feel well.
You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life to
prevent serious complications, such as kidney damage, stroke and heart attack.
If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the
medication at the next regularly scheduled time.

3. Do not take extra medication to make up the missed dose.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure
will need to be checked on a regular basis.
You may have been instructed to check your blood pressure at home.
Record the measurements in a notebook and bring them to your appointments for
your provider to see.
This medication is only one part of a complete treatment program for your high blood
pressure; it is important that you follow the recommended diet, exercise and weight
control plans closely.

4. Thiazide Diuretics
Members:
(Chlorothiazide, Chlorthalidone, Hydrochlorothiazide,Indapamide, Metolazone)
This medication will cause you to urinate more throughout the day.
If you need to take the medication twice daily, be sure to take your second dose
no later than 4 P.M. to avoid getting up at night to go to the bathroom.
This medication can make you feel dizzy and lightheaded when getting up from
a sitting or lying position.
Get up slowly. Let your feet hang over the bed for a few minutes before getting up.
Hang on to the bed or nearby dresser when standing from a sitting position.

5. This medication can decreasethe amount of potassiumin your body.
Potassium supplements may be needed while you are on this medication to ensure
you have enough potassium for your heart.
If you have diabetes, your blood sugar may need to be monitored more frequently
when you start this medication as it can affect increase your blood sugar.
Avoiddrugs that can cause sodium and water retention (e.g., NSAIDs), as
they can decrease the effectiveness of antihypertensive medications.
* Chlorothiazideis the only medication in this class available IV.

7. Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)
There are two types of CCBs:
Dihvdropyridines(DHP) and Non-dihydropyridines(Non-DHP).
DHPs: areAmlodipine,Felodipine,Isradipine, Nifedipine,Nisoldipine, Nicardipineand Clevidipine
Non-DHP : Diltiazemand Verapamil
Diltiazemand Verapamil are substrates of P-gpand moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4.
They can increase the concentration of many other drugs.
Patients who take statins should use lower doses of simvastatin or lovastatinor
use a statin that is not metabolized by CYP3A4 (e.g. , Pitavastatin, Pravastatin,
Rosuvastatin) .

8. This medication can cause a few side effects, including swelling of the ankles,
feeling tired, dizziness, headache, a hot or warm feeling in your face and
palpitations.
Other medications can alter how this drug works.
Do not start any new medications, including over-the counter drugs or
supplements, unless you check with your healthcare provider first.
Avoideating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this
medication.
NifedipineER: should be taken on an empty stomach.
NifedipineER: this medication can leave an empty shell in your stool.
If you see the tablet in your stool, it is nothing to worry about.

14. ACE Inhibitors, ARBS And Aliskiren
ACE inhibitors end in "-pril" .
Members:
Benazepril, Captopril, Enalapril, Enalaprilat(VasotecIV),Fosinopril, Lisinopril,
Moexipril, Perindopril, Quinapril, Ramipril, Trandolapril
ARBs end in "-sartan”.
Members:
Azilsartan, Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, Losartan, Olmesartan,
Telmisartan, Valsartan
Direct Renin Inhibitor: Aliskiren(Tekturna)

15. ACE Inhibitors, ARBS And Aliskiren
This medication can cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
Use an effective form of birth control while taking this medication.
If you become pregnant during treatment, stop using this medication
and tell your healthcare provider right away.
This medication can increasethe amount of potassiumin your body.
Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking this
medication, unless your healthcare provider has told you to do so.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic
reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue,
and/or throat.
ACE inhibitors: tell your healthcare provider if you develop a dry, hacking
cough that is bothersome while taking this medication.
ACE inhibitors and ARBsshould not be used in combination with
Entresto(Sacubitril/Valsartan). If switching from an ACE inhibitor
to Entresto, or vice versa, a 36 hour washout period is required.

24. Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers mostly end in "-olol."
For most conditions, any beta-blocker can be selected, but Bisoprolol,
Carvedilolor MetoprololSuccinate should be used if treating chronic
heart failure.
Members:
Beta-1 Selective Blockers: Acebutolol, Atenolol ,Betaxolol, Bisoprolol,
Esmolol, Metoprolol.
Beta-1 Selective Blocker with Nitric Oxide-Dependent Vasodilation: Nebivolol
Beta-1 and Beta-2 Blockers (Non-Selective) : Nadolol, Pindolol, Propranolol,
Timolol.
Non-Selective Beta-Blocker and Alpha-1 Blockers : Carvedilol,Labetalol.

25. Take this medication at the same time every day.
Do not abruptly discontinueyour medication without consulting your
healthcare provider as stopping suddenly can make your condition worse.
This medication can cause a few side effects, including dizziness, fatigue, and
rarely, sexual problems.
If these side effects bother you, let your healthcare provider know.
If you have diabetes, this medication can cause you to misssome of the
symptoms of low blood sugar (e.g., shakiness, palpitations, anxiety).
You will still experience sweating and hunger if your blood sugar is low.
Non-selective beta-blockers: contact your healthcare provider if you
experience any difficulty breathing while taking this medication.
Carvedilol: take this medication with food.
Metoprololtartrate or Metoprololsuccinate: take with or immediately after meals.

29. Clonidine
is commonly used for resistant hypertension.

30. Clonidine
Do not stop clonidine suddenly; this can cause your blood pressure
to become dangerously high.
Make sure you do not run out of medication.
Clonidine can cause a variety of side effects, including drowsiness,
dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, depression and sexual dysfunction.
If the side effects bother you, let your healthcare provider know but do not
stop taking this medication suddenly.
Applythe clonidine patch(Catapres-TTS) weeklyto a hairlessarea of the skin
on the upper outer arm or chest.
Change the patch every seven days. The white adhesive cover can be
applied over the patch to keep it in place.
Donot place the patch on broken or irritated skin.
After seven days, remove the used patch and apply a new patch to a
different area than the previous site to avoid skin irritation.
When removing the patch, be sure to discard it safely, away from the reach of
any children or pets.
The patch will needto be removed before an MRI to prevent a potential burn.

31. Thank you