Can Avapro be stopped safely overnight?

[Vivian__0]

  My grandmother has been taking Avapro/Irbesartan for a couple of weeks and seems
  to have developed a rash.  She has stopped this medication overnight, and I wish to
  know if this is dangerous as I thought High Blood Pressure tablets should be reduced
  only slowly.  Her blood pressure was 200/?  when she started.

[CCF Cardio MD - MTR]

Dear Vivian, thank you for your question.  You are correct that blood pressure medications should not be stopped abruptly.  Before your grandmother stops her medication, she should see or at least speak with her physician.   The rash may not be caused by the Avapro and her physician would need to determine if she is truly having an allergic reaction to it.  Most likely, she will need an alternative blood pressure medication.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.