Can Capoten therapy be given to a patient on diuretic?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have a question about a scenario regarding blood pressure medicine and wanted to ask an expert. If say, an older person over the age of 80, who has hypertension but is on a medicine that is a combination of a beta-blocker and diuretic that is keeping it controlled, then one day the reading goes high (say greater than 180/110 mmHg) what is the best thing to do? Is it recommended to take medicine like Capoten (Captopril), which is supposed to be safe and will lower the blood pressure quickly when taken sublingually, or is this some emergency situation that you would need to go to the hospital emergency room, or would you watch to see what happens to the blood pressure on the regular medicine? The reason that I am asking is that this Capoten was recommended to be very safe to lower blood pressure quickly, but I read that if it is being started in a patient already receiving a diuretic, then this Capoten therapy should be initiated under close medical supervision. Any information that you could give would be really appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thanks for the query. If the patient's blood pressure is controlled on her medicines, and one day it rises suddenly, then look for the cause such as sleeplessness, anxiety or stress or anger, fear, fever or headache, fight or quarrel and family dispute. Treatment can be given after the cause is addressed. If there is a sudden rise in blood pressure and the patient is having dizziness, chest pain, irritability, irrelevant and odd behavior, severe headache, persistent vomiting, shortness of breath, blurring of vision, altered level of consciousness, then rush to the emergency without waiting. If you have more queries regarding cardiac, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cholesterol, heart rhythm issue feel free to contact anytime. Regards.