"Exploring Constipation-Free Options for High Blood Pressure Medications"
A reader asks Dr. Keith Roach if there are high blood pressure medications that don't cause constipation. Dr. Roach explains that while constipation can be a side effect of certain medications like atenolol and amlodipine, there are alternatives to consider. Drugs ending in "-pine" (such as felodipine, nifedipine, and isradipine) are calcium channel blockers that may be tried. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are also options that are unlikely to cause constipation. Additionally, Dr. Roach suggests considering the possibility of drug effects when experiencing new symptoms and mentions the importance of evaluating underlying conditions like atrial fibrillation (AFib) in cases of shortness of breath.