High Blood Pressure - Drug Related?

[StPeteGuy]

My blood pressure has recently started going through the roof. I've always had relatively good BP, but since starting on Epzicom in late-November, it's been way up (in the 150's/100's...sometimes even in the 160's/110ish). I haven't seen anything posted about BP being a side effect of epzicom, but the timing doesn't seem coincidental. I see my doc in a week, but I thought I'd see if any of you have heard of BP problems related to meds.

[Tucsonwoody]

Hey StPete -

Amy not sure this is true in your case - but for almost every HIV med the side effects listed include:

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?

When you start any ART, you may have temporary side effects such as headaches, high blood pressure, or a general sense of feeling ill. These side effects usually get better or disappear over time.

I also have had great blood pressure - then started taking Atripla in November and on my last few BP checks it was up...not as high as yours but higher then usual for me.

I hope it is a temporary thing for you and that it comes back done to your usual soon.  I am sure your doctor can tell you more and if needed give you some options for lowering it.

Best of luck - Kevin

[Miss Philicia]

I never had blood pressure problems until a year ago, and I'd been on HIV meds for 14 years.  I'm not obese, I don't eat a lot of salt and I'm not stressed out.  Mind you, they said it wasn't sky rocket high but they put me on a diuretic and diovan and it eventually was controlled and is back to normal as of about 5 months ago, but I still take the medication.  We tried taking me off of it once and it went back up.  I was told in light of this it's possibly an effect of being on HIV medication this long.  All of my other numbers are fine.