Blood Pressure deffers when taken from both arms

[lawlean]

My blood pressure has two different readings when taken from both arms simultaneously. The difference sometime can defer as much as 10 mmH. For example, from my right arm it reads 140/86, but my left arm reads 150/94 and it has been quite consistantly different between 5-10 mmH.

Another question is, I am currently taking COSAAR 50mg to control my Blood pressure and after a couple of months, it seems that the medication has no effect on me. I was wondering whether the 100mg COSAAR is actually twice the 50mg dosage coz I am currently taking 1/2 tablet of 100mg instead of the 50mg tablet, due the cost different.

[RadioAstronomyObserver]

  The blood pressure differences one arm from the other by as much as 10 is normal.  I can't remember if you should be reading from the lower or the higher of the two, maybe someone else can chime in(?).

My intereswt in your post is the idea of cost differential between a 50mg pill and the splitting of a 100mg pill.  I'm getting 5mg pills of Lisinopril but I split the pills in half for 2.5mg's.  It was my impression that there was no such thing as 2.5mg pills but I found out later there is so I have to wonder why am I getting the 5mg because  It becomes a real son of a gun splitting pills.  So, where did you get the idea of cost differential?

[ireneo]

For people like me who have prescription coverage, it would be cheaper in the long run to buy 30 days worth of 100 mg pills and cut them in half (if I was told to take 50 mg) because they would last me twice as long for the same price.

The trouble comes in with some pills that are enteric coated and not meant to dissolve quickly in the stomach. That can mess up the effectiveness of the medication. I'm back on Diltiazem now and it's a pill that comes in a capsule. The capsule keeps it from dissolving immediately in the stomach. I think it's supposed to travel partway into the intestines and slowly go to work there since it's a SR variety. If I took it out of the cap and took it as a regular pill, I imagine the sudden hit I got from it would make me pretty sick.

Before you go cutting any medication in half, ask the pharmacist if that will affect how the medicine works.

RAO - do you have a pill cutter? Some of our meds at work are coated and the pill cutter is the only way to get through that coating fairly neatly.

[lawlean]

Dear RAObserver,
Thank you for sharing with me, a 30 days 50mg pill cost as much as the 100mg pill in my country, Malaysia. Splitting my pill will stretch up to 60 days for the same cost.
It is interesting to know that the dosage of Lisinopril is only 2.5 and 5mg.
Cheers

[lawlean]

Dear Ireneo,
I do not have the pill cutter; I usually break with my hands. I am not sure whether COSAAR is coated, but it sure tastes a little bitter within.
Thank You for sharing

[PikaPika88]

Check on the internet/websites.   If it said swallow whole, do not break or at the back of the tablet/capsule mention SR (SR=slow release), (LA = extended release, sustained-release).  Those you better don't break it.

When doctor prescribes medication for me.  I would like to start a baby dose instead a daddy dose so I break every thing into half to start with.  If the doctor said take half a tablet then I'll start with a quarter first.  I can't do the capsule one though.  

[lawlean]

There was no mention whether the tablet is SR, LA or otherwise from the packing. From the net it only mention that the tablet is film coated. Flim coating means the pill is protected from moisture and other environment condition, I think.

[PikaPika88]

It didn't said SR or LA.  May be you can ask a pharmacist or doctor in one of the forum.

In Malaysia, you can get your medication at general hospital.  It only costs few Ringgits then you got 3 months supply.  My mum gets hers one at KL one of the general hospital.  I also born in Malaysia.

[lawlean]

PilaPika88, Its nice to know you were born in Malaysia. I agreed with you that you can get HBP pills from the General Hospital for 3 months, but I don't think I can get COSAAR (my doc recommended) from the GM. I pay RM90.00 for 30 100mg tablets. 50mg tablets cost RM84.00.

I m currently taking the 50mg Cosaar pill and is not bring down my BP. I am now waiting for my next med appointment.

Anyone know the equivalent dosage of other BP pills such as the Lisinopril 5mg compared to Cosaar 50 or 100mg?

[kenkeith]

In general, any difference of 10 mm Hg or less is considered normal and not a cause for concern.

Since some studies showed that the average interarm systolic blood pressure difference was significantly greater in patients with known coronary artery disease, it’s a good idea to discuss differences higher than 10 mm Hg with your doctor.

When you have your blood pressure taken at the doctor’s office, it’s typically taken in the right arm. But if you’re measuring your blood pressure at home, readings are often taken in the left arm. This may cause different readings at home and in the doctor’s office. If your home blood pressure readings are different from those taken in the doctor’s office, be sure to discuss this with your healthcare professional.

Many factors affect blood pressure. To detect a difference in blood pressure between your arms, your doctor may take alternate-arm blood pressure readings or even measure your blood pressure in both arms at the same time with two blood pressure gauges and two observers. The fact that there are differences in right and left arm readings emphasizes the importance of measuring blood pressure in both arms initially to prevent the misdiagnosis of high blood pressure. If one arm has higher blood pressure than the other, that arm should be used to determine if you have hypertension