Blood pressure meds

Baldy · Oct 29th, 2004, 08:53

I have occasionally been precribed Chlonidine (trade name Catapress) for blood pressure. I intend spending 6 months in India and was wondering if any of our more medically inclined members know if this pharm is commonly available in India?

nomadelmundo · Oct 29th, 2004, 09:38

... haven't been to India yet, and I don't generally prescribe clonidine to my pediatric population, but I do know that clonidine comes in different dosages here in the United States, either in forms of pills or patches... too much or too little could and will make you hypotensive or hypertensive, which you don't want to happen if you are in a remote part of India taking pictures and having a great time... and if my blood pressure was depending on the right dosage that could save my life, i would make sure i have plenty of medication for the entire duration and not take the risk of buying abroad, unless when it's absolutely necessary.
dr. will

cyberhippie · Oct 29th, 2004, 12:29

Aren't there some issues with using these meds in a hot climate as well, specifically dehydration?
My father in law was advised to stop taking his meds whilst in India for two months!!
He had his blood pressure taken after a month and it had dropped noticably!!!
So the hot weather it would seem is good for high blood pressure!!
Am I on the right track here? This is not advise, more of a question to Dr Will. Always talk to your doctor about health issues!!!!!!!
The traveling fraternity is known for handing out bad advice in these matters!
And it is your health your talking about!!

goangoangone · Oct 29th, 2004, 13:20

I'm taking my own blood pressure monitor with me. I'm hoping it will drop while I'm away. Hopefully I can reduce the dosage as they don't seem to do a lot anyway

I need so many that I can't carry that many with me. I'm taking 2 months supply. I'll have to get them out there.

nomadelmundo · Oct 29th, 2004, 18:07

cyberhippie,
you are absolutely right, always consult you own physician prior to leaving... and dropping blood pressure, but on that note high blood pressure is caused by high amount of water in our body. we have about 5 liter of blood on average, and 80% of that is water! so if you are in india and sweating, you'll definatly loose some volume of your blood via sweating and probably inadequate dehydration. this is not a good way to keep your blood pressure low, because dehydration and low blood pressure can present their own set of problems. i think "goangoangone" has good idea, and you should talk to your own doc, and have a plan of action, i.e. if my cuff says my b.p is 149/90 i need to take pill #1 2 times a day, but if my b.p is 130/80, i may can skip a dose... but keep in mind, these medications don't work instantly and usually require a tapering regiment, so talk to your internist.
dr. will

cyberhippie · Oct 29th, 2004, 19:31

It was actually the doctor that advised my father in Law it would be ok to stop taking meds for high blood pressure. He is 72 so perhaps there was a risk of sweating and meds which lets face it make you pee a lot combining to bring about dehydration!!
The doc did tell him to have his blood pressure checked after he had stopped the meds for a while!!
Again see your doctor

shelly · Nov 1st, 2004, 01:46

Hi Baldy, I cant say for sure that you will find clonidine in india but you do find most medicines there. However if you have been on them for a while you should take up your own from home as with blood pressure meds once you are stable on one brand you shouldnt change to another brand without regularly monitoring the blood pressure and you dont want to be doing that while on holiday. Although the active ingredient may be the same the other components of the tablet may differ slightly and may cause some fluctuations in blood pressure. 6 little boxes shouldnt take up that much space in your bag! Also dont let your blood pressure drop by getting dehydrated. Make sure you drink plenty of water especially if you are sweating. Speak to your doctor before you go and get your blood pressure checked.

Baldy · Nov 1st, 2004, 04:21

All useful advice, thanks all esp.Dr Will (who wants to swim in the Ganga - pick your spot).

However, I still want to know if anyone has seen Catapress in India pharmacies?

Baldy

mira4bai4 · Nov 1st, 2004, 07:32

I do not know anything about the medication that you speak of but I am aware that for hypertension having 3 good drinks of water early in the morning and cutting back on the coffee etc usually results in a dramatic reduction in the need for medication.

So maybe dilution is the solution.

Oct 29th, 2004, 09:38	#2
nomadelmundo a.k.a Sanyasin - the Wandering Aesthetic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 149	... haven't been to India yet, and I don't generally prescribe clonidine to my pediatric population, but I do know that clonidine comes in different dosages here in the United States, either in forms of pills or patches... too much or too little could and will make you hypotensive or hypertensive, which you don't want to happen if you are in a remote part of India taking pictures and having a great time... and if my blood pressure was depending on the right dosage that could save my life, i would make sure i have plenty of medication for the entire duration and not take the risk of buying abroad, unless when it's absolutely necessary. dr. will __________________ Visit my forum for backpackers, trekkers & hikers where you can share stories, discuss trails, and upload unlimited amount of travel photos for FREE... @ PlanetNomads.com

Oct 29th, 2004, 13:20	#4
goangoangone Monsoon Loon Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,492	I'm taking my own blood pressure monitor with me. I'm hoping it will drop while I'm away. Hopefully I can reduce the dosage as they don't seem to do a lot anyway I need so many that I can't carry that many with me. I'm taking 2 months supply. I'll have to get them out there. __________________ GoanGoan......here

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Oct 29th, 2004, 08:53	#1
Baldy gotta pee ... Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Brisbane Posts: 187	Blood pressure meds I have occasionally been precribed Chlonidine (trade name Catapress) for blood pressure. I intend spending 6 months in India and was wondering if any of our more medically inclined members know if this pharm is commonly available in India?

Oct 29th, 2004, 12:29	#3
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,013	Aren't there some issues with using these meds in a hot climate as well, specifically dehydration? My father in law was advised to stop taking his meds whilst in India for two months!! He had his blood pressure taken after a month and it had dropped noticably!!! So the hot weather it would seem is good for high blood pressure!! Am I on the right track here? This is not advise, more of a question to Dr Will. Always talk to your doctor about health issues!!!!!!! The traveling fraternity is known for handing out bad advice in these matters! And it is your health your talking about!!

Oct 29th, 2004, 18:07	#5
nomadelmundo a.k.a Sanyasin - the Wandering Aesthetic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 149	cyberhippie, you are absolutely right, always consult you own physician prior to leaving... and dropping blood pressure, but on that note high blood pressure is caused by high amount of water in our body. we have about 5 liter of blood on average, and 80% of that is water! so if you are in india and sweating, you'll definatly loose some volume of your blood via sweating and probably inadequate dehydration. this is not a good way to keep your blood pressure low, because dehydration and low blood pressure can present their own set of problems. i think "goangoangone" has good idea, and you should talk to your own doc, and have a plan of action, i.e. if my cuff says my b.p is 149/90 i need to take pill #1 2 times a day, but if my b.p is 130/80, i may can skip a dose... but keep in mind, these medications don't work instantly and usually require a tapering regiment, so talk to your internist. dr. will

Oct 29th, 2004, 19:31	#6
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,013	It was actually the doctor that advised my father in Law it would be ok to stop taking meds for high blood pressure. He is 72 so perhaps there was a risk of sweating and meds which lets face it make you pee a lot combining to bring about dehydration!! The doc did tell him to have his blood pressure checked after he had stopped the meds for a while!! Again see your doctor

Nov 1st, 2004, 01:46	#7
shelly Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: MALTA Posts: 46	Hi Baldy, I cant say for sure that you will find clonidine in india but you do find most medicines there. However if you have been on them for a while you should take up your own from home as with blood pressure meds once you are stable on one brand you shouldnt change to another brand without regularly monitoring the blood pressure and you dont want to be doing that while on holiday. Although the active ingredient may be the same the other components of the tablet may differ slightly and may cause some fluctuations in blood pressure. 6 little boxes shouldnt take up that much space in your bag! Also dont let your blood pressure drop by getting dehydrated. Make sure you drink plenty of water especially if you are sweating. Speak to your doctor before you go and get your blood pressure checked.

Nov 1st, 2004, 04:21	#8
Baldy gotta pee ... Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Brisbane Posts: 187	All useful advice, thanks all esp.Dr Will (who wants to swim in the Ganga - pick your spot). However, I still want to know if anyone has seen Catapress in India pharmacies? Baldy

Nov 1st, 2004, 07:32	#9
mira4bai4 Lost in Space Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: ND PaharGanj Permanently/Temporarily Posts: 1,179	I do not know anything about the medication that you speak of but I am aware that for hypertension having 3 good drinks of water early in the morning and cutting back on the coffee etc usually results in a dramatic reduction in the need for medication. So maybe dilution is the solution.

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