Timely Information on Blood Pressure Drug

Thanks to one of your articles in the Health section (“Trial of New Blood-Pressure Medication Brought to a Halt,” March 13), I contacted my doctor regarding the study on the blood pressure A-blocker, Cardura. He immediately changed me to a beta-blocker, Atenolol.

The difference was like night and day. I’d forgotten how much my energy level had dropped, the frequency of lightheadedness, how quickly I could run out of breath and other side effects. While very low doses of Cardura in combination with Diovan did keep my blood pressure within comfortable ranges, my doctor and I were aware that I was very sensitive to the effects of the Cardura.

With the new regimen, my old energy has returned, my mental alertness seems heightened, and I’m enjoying life at the age of 67 even more than was usual under the old prescription. However, it does make one wonder how many drugs are being manufactured and prescribed without adequate testing.

--ROD STEPHENS

Valencia