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 am extremely sorry for the inconvenience. In fct,name ofthe drug is Saloken XL 100 by astra zeneca containing metorpolol.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...
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Respected sir,
Regards,
I have tachycardia and hypetension. I am 48 years and was put on atenolol 50 in year 1989. It went ok until in the year 2000, due to BP elevations, amlodipine was added. Thereafter, in 2002, I began to have HBP and was gien losartan 100. During that time I developed PVC and occasional ventricular ectopia ( this is what is writen in my paper). Dose of atenolol added from 50 to 100. Is atenolol correct choice for my HBP? My friend was telling me that as we grow in age, medicine response also change and he asked about aloken xl 200 in place of atenolol 100 which apart from the benefits of atenolol has cardioprotective property ?
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Dear Harswardhan
I need a little more about Aloken XL. It is not a name I am familiar with and is in none of my drug databases. Could you check the spelling or preferably give me the generic name like you have given for all other drugs mentioned. Then I should be able to give you an answer.
Thanks
Dr Alan Galbraith
Answer Dear Harswardhan
It is common to use more than one antihypertensive in HBP such as amlodipine and losaratan but today betablockers such as atenolol are not recommended anymore but may have use in conduction problems in the heart such as ventricular ectopia but atenolol is not all that good at correcting rhythm (conduction) problems. Metoprolol might be a better bet but as are others such as labetalol or sotalol. The use of which depends upon ECG readings and other diagnostic procedures. Diuretics are recommended eg hydrochlorothiazide as being superior and have less adverse effects than betablockers for uncomplicated HBP. Your friend is correct saying that age changes drug response but it is unpredictable and empirical.
