Factors that affect Lotrel® dosage include a patient's age, current medical conditions, response to the medication, and medication currently being taken. Lotrel® is a medication used to treat high blood pressure and the recommended starting dosage is 2.5 mg/10mg up to 10 mg/40 mg daily. Depending upon the response, the Lotrel® dosage may be adjusted. When the Lotrel® dosage is adjusted, blood pressure may not be lowered to the desired level for several weeks.
Lotrel® should be taken with a full glass of water and can either be taken with food or on an empty stomach. Also, it's important to take the Lotrel® dosage at the same time every day to make sure that even levels of the medication persist in the bloodstream. If the Lotrel® dosage is forgotten, it should be taken as soon as it is remembered, but a double dose should never be taken. When this happens for the first time, the physician should be notified who can explain "missed dose" guidelines.
Common side effects of Lotrel® include cough, swelling, and headache. In addition, dizziness, high potassium blood levels, and fatigue can sometimes occur. The doctor should be notified of any unusual side effects. If wheezing, swelling of the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, or chest pain occur, 911 should be called and emergency medical intervention sought.
Rarely, Lotrel® can cause constipation, heartburn and back pain, as well as insomnia, hair loss, and extreme hypotension. Since these side effects are rare, it can be hard to determine whether they're actually side effects from the Lotrel® dosage or caused by something else. These rare side effects should be discussed with the healthcare provider, but it is important to note that their cause may never be determined.
It is recommended that women who are pregnant not take Lotrel®. This medication can cause problems in the unborn child and can cause fetal problems such as low blood pressure, kidney failure, physical deformity, and lung problems. Women who are pregnant or who are considering becoming pregnant may take a variety of blood pressure medications that are effective and generally safe for them.
Before treatment for high blood pressure begins with Lotrel®, an individual should talk to his health care provider if he has heart disease, diabetes, liver or kidney problems, or allergies. In addition, the healthcare provider should be alerted if conditions such as scleroderma or lupus are present. These conditions are known as autoimmune diseases and although they can occur in men, they are more frequently diagnosed in women.