Can I stop my blood pressure medicine once readings are normal?
No, you should not stop your blood pressure medicine on your own once readings are normal. Readings are usually normal because the medicine is working, and stopping often sends pressure back up within days to weeks, sometimes with a rebound.
Some people really can step down after major weight loss or lifestyle change, but that decision belongs to your prescriber, made gradually with home readings watching.
Bring your doctor a month of home numbers and ask directly whether a trial reduction makes sense. That is a normal, reasonable question to ask.
See a doctor promptly if
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing on an ACE inhibitor. This can be angioedema and is an emergency
- Fainting, or dizziness so severe you cannot stand safely, after starting or increasing a medicine
- Blood pressure repeatedly 180/120 mm Hg or higher, especially with chest pain, breathlessness, severe headache, or visual change
- Muscle weakness with palpitations while on a diuretic, which can signal a salt or potassium problem
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Answered by the AskDoc Medical Team · Medically reviewed under our Medical Director, MBBS · How we review
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