Blood pressure reduction in hypertensive patients after withdrawal of effervescent medication

Background Raised blood pressure associated with the sodium excipient content of soluble or effervescent analgesic has been previously reported. However, the influence of other anions associated with sodium on blood pressure is still controversial. Methods Observational study of elderly hypertensive patients with uncontrolled blood pressure treated with effervescent paracetamol (3 g/day) for osteoarthritis. Blood pressure was measured before and after (4 weeks or more) switching paracetamol from an effervescent format to a tablet form in 34 patients. Blood pressure was recorded by community pharmacists during a pharmacotherapeutic follow-up service. Results Sodium intake in an effervescent …