Q: I have been taking 2.5 milligrams of hydrochlorothiazide for a couple of years for my high blood pressure. Last winter I went to the doctor and he said I needed more medications because it was still too high. Now I am taking cilazapril, 2.5 mg as well, which controls it pretty good. I have heard people say to quit using these and just take pumpkin seeds. Do you think this would work for me? These pills are quite expensive. I am 63 years old.
A:You do not say what your blood pressure reading is, but it must have been quite high for your doctor to have put you on two medications. Hydrochlorthiazide is a diuretic, also known as Diazide. It is generally used in mild forms of hypertension. The other drug Cilazopril (Inhibace) is one of the newer ACE inhibitors. These are used in more severe cases, and often used in combination with the diuretic. Both drugs together seem to complement each other, and are better than either one taken separately.
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I do not think that taking pumpkin seeds is good plan, as they will not be strong enough to reduce your blood pressure effectively. Also, the strength of the active ingredient may vary from one plant or batch of seeds to another, so you do not know how many to take each day. It is not healthy to have blood pressure that fluctuates too much. There is a danger of a stroke if you let it go uncontrolled for any length of time.
If you are worried about the cost, ask your doctor if he can prescribe Enalapril instead. This drug is also an ACE inhibitor. It comes in a generic form and is much cheaper than Inhibace. New drugs are always more expensive in order for the manufacturer to cover research and development costs, as well as advertising.
Hydrochlorothiazide has been around for many years and should not be expensive.
Allergy to oranges
Q: Can a person be allergic to oranges? I break out in hives if I eat one or drink orange juice. I have tried Benedryl and it does not seem to work. What can you suggest?
A: Yes, you can certainly be allergic to oranges. Some people are allergic to all citrus fruits, while others seem to be able to eat grapefruits or lemons. I do not know why the Benedryl did not work, as any antihistamine should be effective. Did you take it by mouth or use it as a skin cream? If the hives were severe, it would be better to take an oral antihistamine such as Claritin or Reactine. The best plan would be for you to avoid oranges, or anything containing orange flavoring, such as chewable vitamin C tablets.
