Is It Advisable To Shift To Stamlobeta From Metoprolol For Fluctuating BP?

Posted on Fri, 22 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 22 May 2015 Answered on

Mon, 8 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : General Physician Dear Doctor, I have been taking Atenlol for the last 30 years and with amlodipine combination since 8 years. All these years whenever i check my BP it is always normal and some times it is 110/70 also. Recently i have asked my attending physician whether i can shift to a newer drug fromthe present Stamlobeta . So he has prescribed Met XL T 50 Er since February this year as i have diabetes also which is undr control always. I have been observing that the BP has never comedown to 120/80 leave alone 110/70 with this new drug i.e Met XL T 50 mg.. it always show and oscillate between 10/95 to 140/90. since 3 months have passed with this new drug. My doctor asked me to continue.But personally i feel that i should revert back to Stamlobeta ofcourse under doctors supervision. Can i revert to stamlobeta 50 mg with Telmisartan 40 mg.Kindly advise frankly.

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)

Brief answer...don't revert back to stamlo beta
Detailed answer...
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understand your concern.
Salt of MET XL is metoprolol and it is supposed to be a better salt than atenolol ( present in stamlobeta ) in preventing cardiovascular complications in long standing diabetics.
Ideally your BP should be below 120/80.
To achieve this you can either add a diuretic like HYDROCHLORTHIAZIDE 12.5 mg or amlodepin 5 mg to your current regime of metoprolol and telmisartan 40 mg.
Amlodepin is present in stamlobeta also.
You may discuss it with your treating doctor.
I hope it helps however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (28 minutes later)

Dear doctor , I thank you very much for the reply. I have forgiOtten to tell you, I have been checking my bp with my omron digital.but when yesterday when checked with regular sphygmomanometer it has shown 120/80. But when I cross check with the spygmo and digital , occassionally digital is showing some distortion.shall I dis continue this digital altogether?

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)

Hello,
Yes you are right.
digital instrument gives erroneous reading many times.
Best is to use other instrument.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar