Q: I am 43 years old. Two years back, I was diagnosed with mild hypertension. The doctor prescribed Losacar 25 mg (one tablet per day) and Hydrazide 12.5 mg (one tablet per day). I am using these drugs for two years and the BP is well under control. Sometimes, it is 120/70. Is it advisable to reduce the dosage of the medicine? Do these tablets have any long-term effects on heart, kidney or any other organs?

A:If your BP is 120/70 sometimes and not higher than 140/90 anytime, you can reduce the dose of Hydrochlorthiazide to half its present dose or take only Losartan 50 mg once daily. Losartan does not have any long-term deleterious effects.