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Had to reduce blood pressure meds due to GIP-1. Anyone else?
I take Losartan and Carvedilol for my blood pressure and heart function. They have been working well for me. However since I started a GLP-1 drug six weeks ago for weight control I noticed my blood pressure numbers going down. Last week it began to be a problem (light-headedness, nausea, etc.). I reduced both my Losartan and Carvedilol by half and within a day my blood pressure was back to normal. Has anyone else found this to be true?
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@ldjones99
You might want to read a similar discussion in the Weight Loss group:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/zepbound-and-low-blood-pressure/
Could it be because you have lost weight?
Did you consult your provider before changing your blood pressure dosage?
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1 ReactionFrom a study on what others have reported:
This is actually a fairly common situation when someone starts a GLP-1 medication (such as Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Zepbound, etc.). These drugs often lead to lower blood pressure for a few reasons:
1. Weight loss lowers blood pressure.
Even a modest drop in weight over a few weeks can reduce systolic and diastolic pressure.
2. GLP-1 medications improve vascular function.
They can reduce inflammation, improve endothelial function, and mildly dilate blood vessels.
3. They slow digestion and reduce fluid intake for some people.
This can lower blood volume a bit, which also lowers BP.
Because of these effects, people on blood pressure medications (like Losartan and Carvedilol) sometimes start to experience low blood pressure symptoms:
– lightheadedness
– dizziness when standing
– nausea
– fatigue
– faint feeling
Your experience of BP dropping once the GLP-1 kicked in is consistent with what many others report.
Reducing the dose temporarily may help, but it’s important to let your prescribing doctor know. They may adjust your BP meds long-term or monitor your numbers more closely, especially as you continue to lose weight.
Many people end up needing lower doses — and sometimes even discontinuing one BP medication — as their weight improves on a GLP-1 drug. But that decision should always involve your clinician, since Carvedilol affects heart rate and heart function too.