Re Hubby's Hi BP, low pulse, atenolol Question; If take water pill, contraindicated w/ cozar due to potassium?

Question

Thanks for the info regarding this issue (Husband has lo pulse genetically and is on atenolol which makes him out of breath and lower pulse, e.g. 40)
My husband has taken acetazolamide (which I requested from doc) due to a small study that found it helped some with severe sleep apnea. But after the 2 stents were placed in Dec. 06, doc gave him cozaar, which is contraindicated w/ postassium, but when take acetazolamide, need to take potassium supplement. I understand that blood tests could monitor this interaction; and the acet. does help with the sleep apnea (a bit, he has complex apnea and is getting the new vpap machine in about a month). Cardiologist is on vacation now, I have called twice about this question and tried to ask him last visit, but he only has about 15 minutes per patient (he spent more like 45 minutes w/us), yet I still didn't get through my list of questions.

Answer 1

Better go to an ER or second consultation.

Answer 2

I am sorry that you are having trouble getting your questions answered, however, getting serious medical advise from people you don't know is dangerous, so please only use advice from websites as suggestions, and use them, in conjunction with information from your healthcare provider to make decisions.

That being said, Cozaar (lorsartan potassium) contains potassium. When you describe "Water Pill" that is very broad. You must be careful which diuretic (Water Pill) you use because some are Potassium Sparing (don't cause excess urination of Potassium) and some are Potassium wasting (Cause excess urination of Potassium.)

Which diuretic your husband should take is based on his kidney function and is to be determined by his CARDIOLOGIST, please never start or stop a medication on your own, unless there are really severe problems. Anyway, he should most likely be on a potassium wasting diuretic like HCTZ(hydrochlorthiazide) or Lasix (furosemide).

About the Atenolol(propranolol), if he is fatigued, short of breath and bradycardic (low heart rate) with the Atenolol, to the point that he can't function for 30minutes to an hour, the Cardiologist may want to think about decreasing the dose of the Atenolol, or to try using another beta blocker. DO NOT DO THIS YOURSELF, PLEASE. The Cozaar is and ACE inhibitor, which is another type of medication that helps to lower his blood pressure, and maybe this combo may be too much for your husband, if one or the other was just recently added.

If you can't get ahold of your cardiologist, please call someone else in his practice, you need your questions answered.

Hope you get your help, and good luck to you!

Answer 3

What's up, just wanted to say, I liked this discussion. inspiring answers

Answer 4

Thankyou all for your answers and opinions!