Written by Cole D. Luty, PharmD, BCPS | Reviewed by Christina Aungst, PharmD
Published on June 6, 2022
Key takeaways:
– Suddenly stopping blood pressure medications may cause serious side effects or withdrawal symptoms.
– Most blood pressure medications should be stopped in a slow, gradual manner. They shouldn’t be stopped abruptly.
– Always talk to your healthcare provider before stopping or changing how you take any blood pressure medications.
Close-up of a senior person reviewing heart health data on their smartphone.Toa55/iStock via Getty Images
If a lot of medications live in your medicine cabinet, there’s a chance you may have wondered if you actually need all of them. If so, it’s a fair thought. It can be a tall order to manage several medications every day, especially if they’re used for long-lasting health conditions.
More specifically, you might be curious about the process of stopping a blood pressure medication. These commonly prescribed medications are used to treat various health conditions, such as high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms (like atrial fibrillation), and heart failure. But stopping a blood pressure medication can require some strategy, so what should you keep in mind?
Here, we’ll discuss the ins-and-outs of stopping your blood pressure medication safely. We’ll also walk through what might happen if you suddenly stop taking your blood pressure medication without your healthcare provider’s OK.
What are common examples of blood pressure medications?
There are various types of blood pressure medications that you could be taking. They can be used for many reasons, and they each work in different ways to lower your blood pressure. The table below highlights some common blood pressure medications you may be familiar with.
| Medication type | Example |
|---|---|
| Angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors | Lisinopril (Zestril) Captopril Enalapril (Vasotec) |
| Alpha blockers | Doxazosin (Cardura) Terazosin Prazosin (Minipress) |
| Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) | Losartan (Cozaar) Valsartan (Diovan) Olmesartan (Benicar) |
| Beta blockers | Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) Carvedilol (Coreg) Propranolol |
| Calcium channel blockers | Amlodipine (Norvasc) Diltiazem (Cardizem) Verapamil |
| Central alpha agonists | Clonidine (Catapres) Methyldopa |
| Diuretics | Furosemide (Lasix) Hydrochlorothiazide Torsemide |
| Vasodilators | Hydralazine Minoxidil |
How do blood pressure medications benefit your body?
Suppose your healthcare provider prescribes a medication to treat high blood pressure or a heart condition; in that case, there are various benefits the medication may offer your body. These may include:
– Controlling how fast your heart pumps
– Lessening the force with which your heart pumps
– Lowering the pressure within your blood vessels
– Lowering the number of natural hormones in your body that may cause high blood pressure
– Raising the amount of water and salt that your body gets rid of
What are the risks and side effects of suddenly stopping your blood pressure medication?
If you’re thinking about stopping any blood pressure medication that’s been prescribed to you, it’s crucial to talk to your healthcare provider first. Depending on the medication, the way you stop taking it can have a big impact on the side effects you experience.
When someone stops these medications abruptly, it’s possible to experience side effects. More specifically, withdrawal symptoms. Some of these side effects are mild, but others are serious. They may include:
– Higher blood pressure
– Chest pain
– Anxiety
– Fast heartbeat
– Swelling in the legs and feet
However, not all blood pressure medications will cause these side effects when stopped. Some may also cause them more frequently than others.
For example, suddenly stopping a beta blocker (like metoprolol) will likely cause your heart to beat dangerously fast. An elevated heart rate may put you at risk for developing certain heart-related complications, including a potential heart attack or stroke. Likewise, stopping a diuretic (like furosemide) is more likely to cause swelling in your hands or feet than other blood pressure medications.
What happens if I slowly stop taking my blood pressure medication over time?
When possible, this is the better and safer route to consider. You and your healthcare provider can come up with a strategy to stop your medication in a safe way.
Tapering is one common strategy to do this. This is when you stop taking a medication slowly over time. It involves taking smaller and smaller amounts of a medication over a given time period.
For example, if you were originally taking lisinopril 40 mg every day, your healthcare provider may recommend taking lisinopril 20 mg for one week, and then 10 mg of lisinopril for another week. After that, you may be able to stop the medication completely.
Another form of tapering is when you change how often you take a medication. For example, if you were originally taking clonidine 0.1 mg 3 times per day, you may be told to reduce it to 2 times daily for a certain period of time, and then reduce it again to only once per day.
However, keep in mind that each form of tapering is specific to you, your situation, and your healthcare provider’s perspectives and expertise. The examples discussed here shouldn’t be used as instructions for stopping your blood pressure medication.
What considerations should I take into account when stopping my blood pressure medication?
The main consideration is communication.
Before potentially stopping a blood pressure medication, it’s crucial to talk to your healthcare provider first. This will give them a chance to watch out for any side effects you may experience during the stopping process. And with your input, it’ll also help them determine the next steps in your healthcare plan to achieve the best outcomes.
Your healthcare provider may decide to lower your dose — or stop your medication completely — if your blood pressure has been well-controlled for some time, typically after at least 1 year. If you’ve noticed that your blood pressure has been where you and your healthcare provider decided it should be, this may be the time to discuss with them about possibly reducing or stopping your blood medication(s).
Is it OK to miss a day of blood pressure medication?
As humans, it’s easy for us to forget things every now and then. Blood pressure medications are usually taken every day — anywhere from 1 to 4 times per day. Since they’re used so frequently, it’s only natural to forget a dose or two every now and then.
So, for the most part, it’s OK (and not uncommon) to miss a day or two of your blood pressure medication. However, try to not make it a habit. The more often you take your medication, the more likely it is to work and help you achieve your health goals.
Want to learn more? Here are some valuable tips on ways to remember to take your medications every day. And if you’re a fan of using your smartphone to organize day-to-day tasks, there’s also plenty of medication reminder apps to check out and try.
When should I talk to my healthcare provider about stopping or changing my blood pressure medication?
Again, before making any changes to your medication routine, you should talk to your healthcare provider about your thoughts and intentions.
If you’re experiencing side effects from your medication, this is a great opportunity to discuss potentially changing your medication (or dose) with your healthcare provider. And if your blood pressure has been well-controlled for at least a year, you may also want to take this opportunity to discuss potentially making a change to your medication regimen. You should also let them know if you’re experiencing signs of high blood pressure.
Cost is also a frustrating and common concern. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you have difficulty affording your medication. They may be able to come up with a cheaper and similarly effective alternative for you. And if you don’t have prescription insurance or are underinsured, consider using a free GoodRx coupon at your pharmacy (if applicable).
What are the most common side effects that I might experience while taking a blood pressure medication?
Most medications have some side effects. Some of the most common side effects of blood pressure medications may include:
– Lower blood pressure than desired
– Dizziness
– Feeling dehydrated
– Lack of energy
– Cough
– Nervousness
– Headache
– Diarrhea
– Constipation
These are not all the side effects you can experience while taking a blood pressure medication — just some of the most common examples. More serious side effects are also possible.
Who shouldn’t abruptly stop taking their blood pressure medication?
In general, nobody should abruptly stop taking their blood pressure medication without a healthcare provider’s OK. However, people who have been taking their medications for a longer period are more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms than those who haven’t.
Additionally, compared to other blood pressure medications, health experts believe that stopping beta blockers (like metoprolol) or central agonist medications (like clonidine) can lead to some of the most severe withdrawal symptoms. Stopping these medications can cause rebound hypertension or cause your heart to beat dangerously fast.
The bottom line
In general, you shouldn’t stop taking blood pressure medications suddenly. If you do, they can cause potentially dangerous side effects that can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Blood pressure medications are often stopped more gradually, utilizing a strategy such as tapering. Always talk to your healthcare provider before stopping any medications, especially blood pressure medications.
References
American Heart Association. (2016). Managing high blood pressure medications.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). High blood pressure.
Leave a Reply