geriatric cardiology pharmacology

80 year old woman with hypertension , heart failure, borderline diabetes, history of arrhythmia , thyroid removed,  arthritis .
Complains of severe back pain, numbness in hands and feet, unsteady on feet (needs walker),   incontinence, signs of dementia.

My Question:
Seemed better on previous medication regime:  Norvasc, Lanoxin, Spironolactone, Levothyroxine.
Worse on current medication regime: Metoprolol, Benazepril, Isorb Mono Tab, Spironolactone, Simvastatin, Levothyroxine.

What are the added benefits that would justify the new medication regime over the old?
(In other words, can she go back to the older medication regime?  What benefits would she be giving up?)

[Douglas Bogart, MD]

Before any changes are made in the meds your need to talk to the doctor.  Beta blockers like metoprolol  and ACE inhibitors like benazepril have been been shown to be of value in patients with congestive heart failure as well as for hypertension.  Simvastatin is of value for patients with both diabetes and heart disease.  Talk to your doctor and changes can be made to minimize the side effects.

[jp2008]

How do metoprolol, isosorb, and benazepril together, differ from, norvasc and lanoxin.