Managing High Blood Pressure in Moms: A Doctor's Question

Question
Charles: My mom needs help getting her bp under control, she is on 10mg of norvasc and she is still 165/90 at the doctors.  She has limitations ace inhibitors raise her lithium levels, diueritcs can too,  i was wandering if a right bundle block on an ekg was something that would prohibit her from taking a beta blocker?  Or one of the angiotension drugs.  I also thought that something like toprol might help but also might make her feel even more slugish since she is on lithium and navane for her psychiatric condition which is under control what are your thoughts on this?  Thanks   Marc

Answer
Hi Marc,
She can safely take cardiac specific beta blockers with Norvasc. There are no known contradictory side effects or drug to drug interactions with Toprol, Navane and Lithium. Her RBBB alone is not a reason not to take Toprol either. It would be wise to check pulses if this drug is chosen as it can slow pulse considerably.