I was taking 50 mg. Atenolol 1X per day. A few years ago doctor added 5 to 10 mg. Norvasc and if necessary take another 50 mg. Atenolol at night. Now he recommends Atenolol in AM and Exforge 5/160 at night, which I have not started yet. Will Exforge help lower the pulse rate also? I like the Atenolol for that purpose but am concerned about some of the side effects of Exforge that I've read. I started having anxiety attacks, which the doctor does not attribute to the meds or to my b/p. I am trying some natural remedies for that right now.
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Q: Does Exforge help lower pulse rate? Does it cause anxiety?
Answers (2)
2/ 8/10 4:39pm
Hi DEJ,
Exforge is a calcium-channel blocker that works to lower blood pressure by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels. Atenolol is a beta-blocker used to lower blood pressure. I recommend quizzing your physician so you understand the reason they recommended the switch from atenolol to exforge.
Potential side effects of exforge include anxiety and sleep problems. A more serious side effect is a fast/pounding heart beat. If you experience this contact your physician.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure
5/ 8/10 3:17pm
Hi,
I'm on the same meds you are and the same dosage. Exforge did increase my heart rate, so I take it in the morning and the Atenolol at night. If I take the Exforge in the morning I don't notice the increase in my heart rate. After taking it for 5 months my heart rate isn't at fast as it was in the beginning. Atenolol slows my heart rate, which is good it's easier to fall asleep.
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By DEJ— Last Modified: 12/22/10, First Published: 02/07/10
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Thank you. He is not switching from Atenolol to Exforge, he is adding it. I'm to take 50 mg. Atenolol in AM and Exforge 5/160 in PM. I'm not sure now if I want to take the Exforge if a side effect is anxiety.