AboutEric Brandt Expertise I am a practicing pharmacist.On my drug information website, I have answered hundreds of questions to date. The articles posted on my site include Parkinson`s disease. depression, menopause, diabetes, sleep and aging, congestive heart failure, calcium channel blockers, thyroid hormone replacement therapy, ADHD, multiple sclerosis an more.
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I have a question regarding drug interactions. I am currently on 50 mgs of Toprol XL for high blood pressure and on 30mgs of Procardia for Reynauds Syndrome. I know that one or both of these drugs can cause the heartrate to slow.
Recently I was in surgery and have been put on pain management drugs until I heal. I was given Percocet which makes me sick (if I take a full pill) so I have been breaking the pill in half and taking 1/2 a percocet once a day. I asked the doctor to give me something else that would not make me sick and he gave me Tylenol 3 instead. I take on Tylenol 3 in the morning and one at night.
I know in the scheme of things, those are not high doses of pain meds, but I am concerned about the affects of those drugs interacting with the Procardia and the Toprol. Can you give me any information on that?
Thank you
Answer Hi Sharon,
The heart rate lowering of both Toprol and Procardia may be enhanced in that combination but I am sure that it is monitored and the dose was adjusted to a safe level. Adding Tylenol #3 to the combination does not significantly affect the actions of the heart medications you take in the doses you take. In higher doses the ceffeine in the Tylenol #3 may increase heart rate.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.Sc. Pharm
