Blood Pressure Pills at Bedtime or in the Morning?What the 21,000-Person TIME Trial Found

You may have read that taking blood pressure pills at night protects your heart better. Some earlier studies suggested that.¹ The TIME trial was designed to test it in everyday life.

The trial

In the UK, more than 21,000 adults already taking blood pressure medicine were randomly assigned to take all of their usual blood pressure pills either in the morning (6 to 10 a.m.) or the evening (8 p.m. to midnight).¹ About 43% were women, and the average age was about 65.¹ Researchers tracked heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart and blood vessel disease.¹

What it found

After a median of about 5 years:

• No difference in major heart and stroke events between morning and evening dosing.¹
• No safety concerns with either timing.¹

The researchers concluded that people can take their regular blood pressure medicines at a convenient time that minimizes unwanted effects.¹ The study was funded by the British Heart Foundation.¹

What this means for you

• Consistency matters more than the clock. Pick a time you’ll remember every day.
• Think about side effects. If a water pill such as hydrochlorothiazide sends you to the bathroom at night, ask whether morning dosing makes more sense. Our guides to waking at night to pee and hydrochlorothiazide and skin cancer cover related questions.
• Dizziness on standing at night? Mention it, especially if you get up to use the bathroom.
• Don’t switch on your own if you take several medicines with timing instructions, like levothyroxine.

Try: “I take my blood pressure pills in the evening because I read it was better, but I’m up peeing at night. Would mornings be just as good for me?”

Did I Do That in My Sleep? includes a 14-Night Lights-Out Record and a Visit Brief. Use them to record nighttime bathroom trips and what time you take each medicine. See the book.