Amlodipine - side effect

[Deep-Purple]

After being diagnosed with high blood pressure I was given these to take. I wanted to try and bring my BP down by diet and excel use but was advised to take them anyway. I have been on them a couple of weeks and literally during yesterday evening, my lower legs swelled up and became rock hard and so hot and itchy I had to cover them with cream so I could sleep. I didn’t take another tablet and Dr has agreed to see if I can control it without them, given I’ve lost 11lbs and walking a lot more. Anyone else had this reaction? Apparently it may take a while to go away.

[Deep-Purple]

I mean diet and exercise , not Excel!

[Dizzart in reply to Deep-Purple]

That’s common get them changes to Lacidipine as soon as poss . Good luck

[Oshgosh in reply to Deep-Purple]

I hate predictiv text

[sassy59]

Hi Deep-Purple, I take Amlodipine along with Atenolol and one other drug to help control my blood pressure. I’ve never had any reaction. I’m pleased you’re not taking them anymore. Hope things improve soon. Xxx

[Deep-Purple in reply to sassy59]

Thank you. Yes I was surprised to learn how many people are on this and without any issues. Obviously didn’t suit me but fingers crossed I either don’t need one or can find one that suits me .

[skischool]

Hi Deep purple,like sassy59 i have been taking Amlodipine for several yrs for what was diagnosed as mild hypertension without any side effects and even with a poor diet and little exercise i now have almost perfectly normal BP.I hope your Gp can find a suitable alternative for you that is equally as effective.

Best wishes Ski's and Scruff's

🙃😸

[Deep-Purple]

Thanks for getting back to me. Yes we are all different when it comes to how these things affect us. Can’t wait for the swelling to go down snd the hot itching to stop. 🙃

[Suzie42]

Amlodopine caused me no end of different side effects not your one though. I only took it for 5 days when I came off. I went on a diet with exercise and haven't had to take meds for lowering blood pressure since. I was one of the lucky ones though. I had been on Ramipril for 15 years, but when I was found to have heart problems and was changed from Ramipril. Then when Amlodopine didnt work I asked to partake in a diet and exercise. I was eating lots of celery and drinking green tea.

[Deep-Purple in reply to Suzie42]

Hi, yes that’s what I’m doing. Diet and walking. The doctor seemed agreeable to that probably because I’ve now lost a stone in weight. My blood pressure continues to go down without the medication so gingers crossed this works for me as I know it doesn’t for everyone. So far so good. Cx

[Suzie42 in reply to Deep-Purple]

Yes that's the best way to go, after 15 yrs on medication for raised blood pressure I've been fine without it for 2 or more years now. One less tablet to take.

[CDPO16]

Hi Deep-Purple, my husband had the same problem with Amlodipine. For him a reduction in the dose he had been prescribed solved the problem of swelling. (I can't remember the doses). Just wanted to add congratulations on your weight loss, that's a great achievement. Best wishes.

[johnderby]

Hi Deep-Purple. I have been taking these for a few years and no side effects. Good luck. John

[Izb1]

I had the same problems with this tablet, so did my sister, yet my eldest sister tolerates then well. My gp said to use a stocking, needless to say I came off them, I am now on bisoprolol. I tried quite a few before I found one that I could tolerate. I think your idea of diet etc is a much better one x

[Carnival567]

This is a known side effect of amlodipine but not usually as bad as you have it. I admire you for your success with diet and exercise . All the best x

[Ergendl]

Yes, I had problems with the side effects from that tablet and came off it a week after starting. Now just use indapamide and weight control to control my blood pressure.Well done for losing the weight and good luck with your own blood pressure control.

[Lyd12]

I was put on amlodipine a few years ago after a spell of irregular heartbeat. Was taken off propranolol and given bisopherol and amlodipine, seems to work ok.

[soulsaver]

Oedema (fluid retention) causing swollen hands, feet and lower limbs is a common uncomfortable side effect of Amlodipine.

There are dozens of alternative medications to lower blood pressure, so get your GP to try them - commonly ACE inhibitors like Ramipril etc.

How common is it? Well I only know 3 un related people who have been on it... and all of them had to come off for that reason.

[Bingo88]

Yes I had a bad reaction to these tablets and had lower leg ulcers. Which have left scars on my legs for life. There are other tablets to bring your blood pressure down Ask your doctor to give you an alternative. I am on Doxazosin. And have no problem with them. Take care and try to be Assertive. Your doctor should be helping you with suitable tablets. Brian

[Jackieshep57]

I suffered a lot so Dr changed me to Rampiril. Much better.

[Mavary]

I came off of them for the same reason. They then tried to put me on ramipril but I said I didn’t want to take them. So the Dr put me on Losarton. When I was ill in hospital the Drs thought I had a heart problem so I went for tests. They didn’t find anything but I told the consultant at the time that I had palpitations so he changed me to Candersarton. The palpitations I had are now gone. And! I had those palpitations for years before. I think they start you off on the cheapest tablets they can get away with. If you are not happy with them I would tell them.

[beech]

Amlodipine is one of the group of Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) which are one type of medication used to treat high blood pressure. Amlodipine is the cheapest, entry-level option of the CCBs.

I tried it but had the same problem with swollen ankles. After a bit of research I asked if I could try Lercanidipine, which is a variation and somewhat more expensive CCB, based on users’ reports.

I was told by my GP that they were required to slowly upgrade until an acceptable medication was found. So I tried the next option (can’t remember what) - no good; then the Lercanidipine, which is mostly ok - still some swelling, but it does go away overnight.

So for me I have had to follow the tick box exercise and waste time with unpleasant side-effects because of budgetary constraints.

Out of this comes that there are many options your GP could try, along with your own healthy steps. Don’t feel you’ve reached the end of a limited road - perhaps another GP in the practice might have better knowledge of what’s available.

[Deep-Purple]

Thank you for all your comments and support folks. The doctor agreed I should stop the tablets and give the diet and exercise a go, keeping an eye that BP is still going down. It’s working well so far. It’s still going down and I’ve lost 15lbs and 3 ins off my waist! Fingers crossed I may not need to take any at all for a few years yet. The lower legs are softening up now and the itching has gone thank goodness! Cx

[hallentine47]

Yes I suffered adverse reactions to this drug and was later prescribed ramipril instead.