If I am on blood pressure medicine and have high choloesterol. Should I be wary of diet pills?

Question

Is it ok to take diet pills or should I just leave them alone? Are there any diet pills that are OK for people like me on medication? What about anitdepressants and diet pills? do they mix well?

Answer 1

You should avoid diet pills; most of them can increase your blood pressure. That leads to a larger heart and increases your chance of getting a heart attack or a worn out heart.

Even caffeine raises your blood pressure and you should watch your intake.

There are a lot of antidepressants and they work in different ways, from uptake inhibitors, to those that work on various brain hormones. You can ask your doctor or any pharmacist about a combination of pills and what their effect will be on you, but I would avoid the diet pills simply because they work directly against your high blood pressure medication.

When a doctor or pharmacist checks on drug interactions they use a computer database, their knowledge, and experience. When it comes to pills they are just as knowledgeable as doctors. You want to inform your doctor of ALL the medications you are taking, I even give my doctors a typed paper listing them, so they have all that information in one place. I have seen a few websites that check drug interactions for you, but once you get past three different drugs they go to the default ask your doctor. I know for a fact that most diet pills work by increasing the blood pressure to increase your metabolic rate so you can lose weight and burn up more calories. There are a few that target other areas, but they are not tested by the FDA. You can say the same about ALL herbal treatments. Some are as harmful as minor poisons and others are as good as just eating grass. Research any medication before you add it to your daily regime.

Check out these websites for drug interactions:
http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Interaction/ChooseDrugs
http://www.personalhealthzone.com/pg000059.html

This is a good site to look at for more information on your medications:
http://www.webmd.com/

Answer 2

NO - NO - NO - Not a good idea and definately not good to mix. I too suffered from High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol but not no more, I had to make a change to get my health back. Now my Blood Pressure & Cholesterol are back to normal once again and I feel great. I discovered that a natural and healthy approach is much better as I have tried all kinds of plans, diets, pills, etc (I'm 45). I just started a natural and healthy "No Diet Weight Loss" plan along with a healthy and natural high energy drink and I have lost 24 pounds and 2 3/4" in my waist in 31 days (Today being my 31st day on the plan). However, it's your choice because it's your life

Answer 3

Everyone should be not only wary of diet pills, but down right terrified. Diet pills will only cause you to lose your money and possibly cause health problems that can be extremely severe such as heart problems. Check with your doctor and see if you can begin an exercise program. If your doctor oks it check with your local gym and see what classes you can participate in. Not only will this help with weight loss, but also it will lower your cholesterol. Exercise is also a great antidepressant. Works much better than pills, which can and do have terrible side effects. Exercise will also lower your blood pressure. It could be with the right guidance from your doctor and the gym you could get off of pills altogether.

Answer 4

The American Heart Association has a Low Sodium Cook Book, that has wealth of info on nutrition as well. Take the salt shaker out of the house. Try using Mrs. Dash seasonings, lemon or lime juices,and flavored vinegars. There is another approach to help lower the blood pressure by, eating more fresh fruits and veggies, more whole grains, fish,poultry, low fat or non fat diary products and less meat called the D.A.S.H. diet, Dietary Approaches to Stopping High blood pressure. Stay away from canned or processed foods which are high in sodium/salt. I've been a lower sodium/salt diet for the past 10 yrs. I'm allowed 4% of sodium/salt in food. Some baked goods have hidden sodium. So READ your labels.

Answer 5

First of all, don't take any medication, even over the counter medications without clearing it with your doctor first.

Second, most diet pills contain some type of stimulant which kind of gives you a "speed" effect. For many years, that substance was ephedra (a stimulant herb) but the FDA has tried to ban it here, so most companies are mainly using caffeine.

Whatever stimulant is used, I wouldn't suggest for someone with a high blood pressure problem. I've heard of too many cases of stroke from these pills and I think the risk is too high.

Ask your doctor.

Answer 6

Talk to your doctor- there are some diet pills that are available that don't have the active ingredient of "ephedrine-" so the appear safe. However- the active herbal ingredients in many diet products today aren't tested or approved by the FDA. Talk to your doctor!

Answer 7

Eat half as much as you do. When you lose weight, your blood pressure and cholesterol will go down too. Save some of your meal to snack on. Soon your stomach will get smaller and it will be easier. Oh it will be easier to exercise if you aren't full or hungry.

Answer 8

Most diet pills don't mix well with any meds. You should check with your doc first!

Answer 9

It really depends on the exact drugs you're talking about. Each drug has a different side effect profile, and each is metabolized differently.

Answer 10

No these pilss do not mix well, and they can be dangerous enough when taken alone...