AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on most drugs. Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 5th Edition published in November 2007 by Pearson Education, Australia.
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 Dear Sharon
Only the Toprol will slow the heart rate whilst the Procardia may increase heart rate. This affect may cancel their effect on heart rate. However, both can lower BP and mask some heart problems but if their effect is followed by your prescriber there is usually nothing to worry about when used together. There are no interactions between Tylenol 3 and the other two drugs and if this helps your pain it is a safer drug (drug combination actually) than Percocet. Not that Percocet (drug combination again) interacts with the other two anyway.
I do not think you should be concerned about any interactions as long as your blood pressure is monitored occasionally and your Raynauds is not causing undue discomfort.
