I recently switched to a new doctor, and had been taking nifedipine 90mg TR (Adalat) for a few years with good result (avg 130 /80). She told me that she never prescribed this medicine to her patients (which I had been buying 90 days with a $5 co-pay). She switched me to Tekturna 150 mg. I took it for a couple of weeks and my blood pressure averaged 155 / 100.

In response, she upped the dose to 300 mg (max) and my blood pressure is averaging 165 / 101. I went in to get my blood pressure taken and the nurse who took it seemed really hurried and rushed. She took my pressure and announced 120 / 100. 120/100?!?!? I've never heard of that, at least I never experienced that. She told me to wait a bit and see if it goes down. I was getting suspicious, and moved around a lot while she went out and when she came back in and took it she announced "120 / 84". Then she told me the doctor wanted me to continue on these meds.

I take my BP daily with an automated wrist cuff, and I'm seeing what I consider dangerous BP levels and I'm wondering if doctors get kickbacks from the drug companies to prescribe these new medicines? Why else would a doctor continue on with a BP medicine that isn't working?

Thanks in advance for your responses.