Bradycardie after 'over-dosage'

[Yvonne]

Dear dr. Fett,

Last Monday an increase of my ACE didn't go very well. I had bradycardie and a lot of ectopic beats. So the doctor cut back the dosage and also decreased my beta-blocker to the previous dosage. My question is: how long will it take until the 'over-dose' is out of my system and the new level is reached? I still have episodes of very low heartrate with dizzyness and headaches. I don't have other symptoms of heartfailure and in between these episodes I feel very well.

[JAMESFETT]

Getting back to a "steady-state" varies according to the "half-life" of a medication [how long it takes to clear the system] and an individual's variable rate of handling a medication. Generally, over a period of a few days things should stabilize. Overall it sounds like you are doing well, and a certain amount of fluctuation is expected. Usually, it a non-acute setting the ectopic beats are not worrisome. Hope you soon reach a comfortable balance.

James