Once-a-day blood pressure medication
Ask the doctor
I take my blood pressure medication twice a day. Or at least I am supposed to, but I sometimes forget the second dose because my evenings tend to be really busy. What can I do?An easier and perhaps more reliable option is to ask your doctor about switching to a long-acting blood pressure drug that only needs to be taken once a day. Many different types are available, including long-acting calcium-channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc, generics). But it's important to make sure that your blood pressure is still well controlled over the entire day. If you don't already have a home blood pressure monitor, get one. Check your blood pressure a few times a day (ideally in the morning, at midday, and in the evening) for several days to see if your readings are fairly consistent throughout the day on the new medication regimen.
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