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Amlodipine

(63 Posts)
Aveline Sat 11-Nov-23 16:20:06

Any experience with this? The list of side effects seems massive. Is anybody happily taking it with good effect?

Visgir1 Thu 14-Dec-23 17:11:49

Had swollen ankles for months on them only on the lower dose, so it was changed to Filodipine, but exactly the same lasted for years.
But on speaking to my Cardiologist he changed to a newer drug called Ibesrtan, apparently the Renal team rate it.. My swollen ankles down within 24 hrs no problem since, BP stable, it wasn't that high to start with.

Katie59 Thu 14-Dec-23 17:10:05

Mollygo

Katie59,
I was warned about swollen ankles. The doctor asked me about fitness levels before I started Amlodipine. but since I do a non sedentary job, (apart from planning and marking), walk our dog daily and do aquafit/swimming or cycling and treadmill at least 4 times a week, I was surprised to get them. Does your DH’s current medication not have the same effect?

On perindopril alone, so far so good he’s vowed to loose some weight too which will also help, some hope over Xmas!.

Mollygo Thu 14-Dec-23 16:54:04

Katie59,
I was warned about swollen ankles. The doctor asked me about fitness levels before I started Amlodipine. but since I do a non sedentary job, (apart from planning and marking), walk our dog daily and do aquafit/swimming or cycling and treadmill at least 4 times a week, I was surprised to get them. Does your DH’s current medication not have the same effect?

Katie59 Thu 14-Dec-23 16:06:26

You are most likely side effect is to get swollen legs, OH had been on it for 5 yrs before it became a problem, if you are not active it’s probably a higher risk.

nanaK54 Thu 14-Dec-23 14:01:31

My BP problem diagnosed August so far I have been prescribed:
Amlodipine - had to stop - irritated my bladder
Felodipine - had to stop - as above
Ramipril - had to stop - gave me an awful cough
Losartan - only 3 days in so we will see...

Mollygo Thu 14-Dec-23 13:02:01

Off Amlodipine as of today, because my BP was frequently higher on it than it was at first. Let’s see what the next one does.

glammagran Tue 12-Dec-23 17:02:47

I’ve been off Amlodopine for 2 weeks now and my BP hasn’t particularly changed. It’s incredibly variable and I’m not sure I trust the machine as my oximeter often shows an entirely different reading. My dizziness is still with me and still getting up to go to the loo 2-3 times a night so I guess I can’t blame the medication. I have noticed if I take a standing BP measurement after a sitting one my BP falls but pulse rate goes up.

livelylady Tue 12-Dec-23 14:01:00

On amlopidine for past four months, along with Ramipril.
Am just about to see gp as ringing in my ears has been a constant problem day and night.

growstuff Tue 12-Dec-23 11:34:55

Aveline

I thought that was a symptom of anti convulsants?

It can also be a side-effect of calcium channel blockers, which amlodipine is.

Mollygo Tue 12-Dec-23 11:19:54

Given Amlodipine 5mg last month. After 2weeks, ankles swollen so couldn’t zip up my boots, constipation and constant backache, suddenly tired and depressed, which I reported, but no reduction in blood pressure. So they doubled the dosage.
Still no consistent reduction in BP and surprisingly, no change to the side effects either. I sent a photo with my last set of BP readings (always done before I get up and when I’m relaxed in bed at night) and they asked me if I do a lot of walking!
The latest advice is that I have to have taken the 10mg for four weeks before they’ll do anything else.

Aveline Tue 12-Dec-23 11:00:48

I thought that was a symptom of anti convulsants?

Callistemon21 Tue 12-Dec-23 10:51:06

Grantanow

I had some growth of my gums so my GP prescribed a different drug with no problems. Gum growth is a known side effect, I think.

😲

I've not heard of this!!

Aveline Tue 12-Dec-23 08:00:47

Well I've been on it for a month now. Absolutely no side effects which is good. However, I'm doing a week of BP readings as instructed by the GP and my BP hasn't gone down much! I suspect that after this week's readings she'll up the dose and then I might notice some side effects.

Zuzu Tue 12-Dec-23 02:31:04

My husband was on it for several years, maybe 2-3. He has high BP and we noticed his feet/ankles were swollen and he'd never had that issue. I googled symptoms, this was one. His cardiologist agreed and discontinued it while monitoring his BP. BP didn't change and within 6 months, the swelling subsided.

Grantanow Mon 11-Dec-23 23:47:38

I had some growth of my gums so my GP prescribed a different drug with no problems. Gum growth is a known side effect, I think.

Callistemon21 Mon 11-Dec-23 23:05:50

I've only just seen this thread but, yes, I have been taking it for over a year now. My ankles swelled at first then seemed to settle down but they've started swelling again and I'm sure it makes my joints ache. Indapamide was prescribed too but doesn't seem to make much difference to water retention.

Trying to speak to anyone at the surgery is difficult unless it's an emergency but I must make an effort t try to discuss an alternative.

PernillaVanilla Mon 11-Dec-23 22:32:26

I had a few side effects when I started on it, mainly a very flushed face and dizziness. I now take it just before I go to bed and the issue is resolved.

Maywalk Mon 11-Dec-23 19:41:38

I am 93 years old and I have been taking Amlodopine for quite some time and my legs have swollen. I have had 8 doppler scans to see if I had DVT but nothing showed.
After a recent bout of my legs swelling so badly the consultant has contacted my doctor requesting that I come off it for a while to see what my blood pressure would be. Hence I am in the middle of a three week experiment with taking my blood pressure night and morning without taking the Amlodipine but to carry on taking my other blood pressure tablet Valsartan.
My blood pressure this morning was 113/54.
I have just taken it 12 hours after and it is 154/87. It will be interesting to know what is going to happen next.

Curtaintwitcher Sun 12-Nov-23 07:29:48

It gave me headaches until I decided to try taking just half of one. It seems to be keeping my blood pressure under control, although I now have to get up during the night to use the toilet.

rascal Sun 12-Nov-23 07:28:12

I've been taking Amlodipine 5mg daily along with many other medication for about six years now for Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure. I never read about the potential side effects. I don't want to think about any negative ideas. hmm

MrsKen33 Sun 12-Nov-23 05:58:41

I had to stop taking it as my feet were permanently cold.

Aveline Sun 12-Nov-23 05:35:36

Luckily I really don't like grapefruit juice!

Whiff Sun 12-Nov-23 05:12:26

Aveline there are a number of tablets that say not to have grapefruit in any form plus no alcohol. 2 of my other tablets say that. So not had either for 35 years.

Hope the Amlodopine works but after a week if you have bad side effects you will know.

grannyqueenie Sun 12-Nov-23 00:22:40

I’ve been taking it for many years with no problems. Ankles swell slightly in hot weather but not enough to be a problem. I’d rather that than overly high blood pressure!

mamaa Sat 11-Nov-23 23:32:16

I’m ok on it, however my brother has recently developed swollen ankles and an itchy rash on his ankles so is now on something different.