Lercanidipine - anyone have any experience with it?

[GrannyE]

Have just been taken off amlodipine because of swelling of the ankles/lower leg, setting the area on the leg damaged by cellulitis off and swelling in two fingers. Doc has put me on Lercanidipine to lower my bp. Am also on Apixaban. It was on this forum that I read about these side effects with amlodipine and spoke to the doctor about them. Thank you everyone. I had not associated my aches and pains and swellings with the BP drug.

[BobD Volunteer]

It is still a calcium channel blocker just like amlodopine according to Dr Google. I can't take any calcium chanel blockers myself if I want to wear shoes and socks. There are other ways to lower blood pressure.

[GrannyE in reply to BobD]

My bp problem is that the systolic is too high but the diastolic low so I need something that will lower the top number but not the bottom. My first day on the new one and am not impossibly aching and swollen. Just a bit but am hoping that is residual from the last amlodipine which i took 36 hours ago. Doc said to give it 3 1/2 weeks.

What are you on Bob?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to GrannyE]

losartan and I was also on indapamide for a few years but BP went too low eventually so stopped that and lost some weight instead.

[GrannyE in reply to BobD]

I have now been put on candersartan so presume it is in the same family. Been taking it for 3 days now and am far less achy and starting to see my ankles again. Kidney blood test in 2 weeks.

[TheProf]

I had the same problem bur lercanidipine was just as bad. I went on to irbesarten which is a different type of drug and it improved. No more swelling. I also have had cellulitis 4 or 5 times so don't any swelling.

[GrannyE in reply to TheProf]

My systolic bp is too high and my diastolic is rather on the low side. Difference can be 100. Does the irbesarten work on the systolic or the diastolic? Have now taken my second lercanidipine and the doc wants me to carry on with it for 3 1/2 weeks. The swellings are not nearly as bad and the pains have gone down to liveable aches. Thank you for replying.

[TheProf in reply to GrannyE]

My BP was 170/90 and now 130/80. It worked for me.

[Palpman]

Staying well hydrated will increase your diastolic BP and taking a water tablet such as Moduretic will lower it.

Most people with BP issues will take 2 different tablets as one will effect the diastolic more than the systolic and visa versa.

[GrannyE in reply to Palpman]

I really do hydrate very well.

What I need to do is to reduce my pulse pressure by reducing my systolic. I think I have got where I am because of my anaemia caused by being prescribed omeprazole which reduced my stomach acid. That inhibited my ability to metabolise the iron, which led to reduced haemoglobin, therefore wide pulse pressure, therefore A/Fib. I don’t think it is because of hardened arteries. Am going to ask for another scan for that when I can. I had a heatscan about 3 years ago when I had the anaemia and was told that my arteries were in the top 25% of healthy arteries for my age.

[artsy66 in reply to Palpman]

Hi Palpman

i recently changed from amlodpine 5mg to lercanidipine 10mg following doctors instructions as i was having so many side effects from the amlodipine however ive noticed that my diastolic reading is now spiking - it used to be around 80-85 now its spiking to 98 although it comes down to around 84 later in the day before spiking again in the evening - is this normal?

[Palpman]

I'm not a doctor but a retired part time medic so my knowledge of drugs is sparse.

Both mentioned tablets are equally effective as calcium channel blockers over the longer term. The amlodipine however is prone to cause oedema in the ankles and lercanidipine better tolerated.