Amlodipine- calcium channel blockers

[Fight-the-good-fight]

Update:

Consultation with cardiologist pushed back till October.

In the interim, I called my GP to discuss side effects of Bisoprolol and, the fact they are not reducing my BP.

I have been told to reduce the Bisoprolol dose to 1.25mg per day and take it at night.-see how we get on for a week. If that doesn’t work they will try something else.

I have also been prescribed Amlodipine (calcium channel blockers) 5mg once a day to reduce BP.

I am assured I will not feel drowsy or, breathless taking these.

Anyone on this particular drug? What a roller coaster trying to get the correct meds/dosage.

[BobD Volunteer]

Took it for a couple of weeks but my ankles swelled to huge proportions which is a known problem for some. so had to stop.

[Fight-the-good-fight in reply to BobD]

Thanks BobD, something to look out for.

[CDreamer]

I don’t take it but my husband does has a mix of very low dose of BB+Calcium Channel+Ace blocker - that works for him. The consultant who suggested this regime gave his reasoning as follows- very low dose - less likely to get affects; has much better results for HR & BP. His BP has reduced from average 175 systolic, has been 200+ and very resistant to now controlled between 130-140.

In all the time reading posts on this forum I’ve never seen anyone else post who is on this type of regime - worth the question?

[Fight-the-good-fight in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks CDreamer,

Does your husband take his BB dose at night or morning?

[CDreamer in reply to Fight-the-good-fight]

Morning I think

[hanne6263]

I know a lot of people get on well with amlodipine, but I couldn't tolerate it. I had hugely swollen ankles and lower legs, and flushing of the face and upper arms. I stopped it after three days and went back to bisoprolol.

[Fight-the-good-fight in reply to hanne6263]

Sorry to hear you could not tolerate Amlodipine. I am hoping I don’t suffer from too many side effects.

[browng]

I have been on Amlodipine for over 3 years now and not had any noticeable side effects, certainly not swelling of ankles. I suspect it is down to the individual what side effects might be. Hop it goes well for you.

I also take it daily with bendroflumethiazide a diuretic, which seems to control my BP steadily around 125/75, along with Flecainide 50mg twice per day.

[Fight-the-good-fight in reply to browng]

Thanks browng, I do a lot of walking, so hopefully that will prevent swollen ankles.

[Speed]

Interesting reading these comments. I’ve been on a high dose of Amlodipine on top of Losartan, Flecainide and Apixaban for 12 mths+. I was just commenting about my swollen ankles but never associated it with Amlodipine. It’s not all the time. Seems to correlate with lack of activity (running) and possibly warm weather. Usually it seems to improves if I run or take regular long walks.

Never liked the side effects of Bisoprolol in that it suppressed my heart rate during exercise and made it extremely hard work and unpleasant.

[Fight-the-good-fight in reply to Speed]

Thanks Speed,

That’s one of the things I dislike about Bisoprolol side effects; everything from walking, to washing takes a huge effort…

[wilsond]

I have to take my bisoprolol 1.25at night, far better than morning.Couldn't take Amlodipine as others say,ankles swollen badly.

However, my mum was on it for many years with no such effect!

[Fight-the-good-fight in reply to wilsond]

Thanks Wilsond,

I can see from the response to my question-swollen ankles appears to be a common symptom.

I hope taking 1.25mg at night makes a difference to my energy levels during the day.

[DKBX]

On amlodipine without negative side effects. Recently switched from metoprolol and diltiazem to sotalol. No negatives there so far, either.

[Fight-the-good-fight in reply to DKBX]

Thanks for your response. I am initially reluctant to take them as my resting BP for the last week or two is averaging 129/83 HR 53 - I think I will trial the 1.25mg Bisoprolol at night and see if it keeps my BP under control, and lessen the side effects…

[younginmind]

Have been taking Amlodipine 5mg for a few years, my husband also took it (10 mg) + my sister - all of us have had no probs!

[Fight-the-good-fight in reply to younginmind]

Thanks for your response. I am initially reluctant to take them as my resting BP for the last week or two is averaging 129/83 HR 53 - I think I will trial the 1.25mg Bisoprolol at night and see if it keeps my BP under control, and lessen the side effects…

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Fight-the-good-fight]

Hi

Your BP is great whereas your H/Rates if at rest is lower than 60s which would be classed as fine.

I'm not sure what you are on? To get your 129/83. H/R 53?

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

[Fight-the-good-fight in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi Joy,

Since my last post I have been in touch with my GP.

I was taking 2.5mg Bisoprolol and 300mg Dabigatron.

I stopped eating after 6pm at night, drink lots of water, eat lots of fruit and veg, abstained completely from alcohol, don’t eat fried food, processed food or chocolate (boring, I know).

That said, the side effects of Bisoprolol are making me feel unwell which outweighs the good BP result.

At the request of the doc I have reduced the dosage to 1.25mg to be taken at night for one week. If that doesn’t reduce the side effects they will try something else.

Doing this has affected my BP readings . My average BP fluctuates between (132/84/58 )in the morning. ( 149/86/57) in the afternoon.

I have now been prescribed 5mg Amlodipine which I start taking tomorrow. Fingers crossed 🤞

I will let you know how I get on…

Take care, stay well…

[dixiedad]

I've been taking AMLODOPINE BESYLATE 5MG for a few years. No side effects that I can see.

Good luck

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Are we all different.

BBs did not reduce 187 H/R on metoprolol pauses at night. Changed to Bisoprolol 10mg 156 H/R Day at rest but the latter reduced my HP.

So I finally got CCB Diltiazem 180 which was too much. Reduced to 120mg AM. 2.5mg Bisoprolol PM.

Result 18months later

110-128 / 69. H/R 60s Day always 47 avge PM.

BBs for BP

CCB for H/R

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)