Blood Pressure Tablets

[PAP48]

Hi - my GP prescribed Amlodipine 5mg one tablet per day for my high blood pressure. Only a couple of days later I saw my Consultant regarding my Afib who changed Amlodipine for Adizem 120mg once a day. I also take Flecainide 50mg twice a day for Afib. Does anyone else take Adizem and have any side effects? Just not feeling too great since taking it, swollen ankles too which I've never had before. I have only been on it for a week, so hopefully things will settle down. How long too did it take to have any effect on your blood pressure? I have never had high blood pressure before, only this time last year it was perfectly normal 120/80(ish). I've no idea why it has risen so much. Do you have any advice for lowering it naturally, losing weight, exercise etc? Thank you so much.

[peege]

Snap! I also began Amlodipine 5mg on Friday for high BP. Mine has been low my whole life until recently. The gp warned me that a common side effect could be swelling ankles but if that happened not to worry about it (as if). Perhaps all of them have similar side effects. Definitely losing weight can reduce BP, friend was told that even 4lbs can make a difference so I'm going to practice will power and go on a regime myself.As for food I know beetroot is excellent for lowering BP, I bought a bottle of organic beetroot juice from the local health food shop, it was absolutely delicious. It lasted 5 days but at £3.50 a bottle I decided to get capsules £8.50 for two months at one per day.

I decided to take only half an amlodipine every evening for a week or so before taking a whole one so it wouldn't affect me too much. So far so good.

I've heard of Azidem but will look it up and get back to you in the morning.

[peege in reply to peege]

I found the leaflet online, this part is relevant for you I think as it explains they combine medication for heart and BP :

Package Leaflet: Information for the user

1. What Adizem-XL capsules are and what they are used for

These capsules have been prescribed for you to treat angina (chest pain caused by a reduction of oxygen to the heart muscle) or high blood pressure (hypertension). They contain the active ingredient diltiazem. Diltiazem belongs to a group of medicines called calcium antagonists. Calcium antagonists help more blood to reach the heart and reduce blood pressure. The other ingredients of Adizem-XL capsules are listed in section 6 of this leaflet.

Adizem-XL capsules are designed to work properly over 24 hours. If the capsules are crushed or chewed, the entire 24-hour dose may be absorbed rapidly into your body. This can be dangerous, causing serious problems such as an overdose.

[PAP48 in reply to peege]

Thank you for your reply peege. I am supposed to try the Adizem for 4 weeks and report back to the Consultant. He explained that Adizem is good for high blood pressure and Afib. I'll complete the 4 weeks to see if things settle but will report back to the Consultant and he may change the medication. I have Bronchiectasis as well (lucky me!) I'd forgotten about beetroot - thanks for the reminder, I'll look for some tablets I think. Thanks so much for the sending the leaflet info which is the same as the leaflet that came with the pills. The joys of getting old! Keep well and safe.

[peege in reply to PAP48]

Good luck I hope everything settles down and it works well in the end. I'm still taking just a half tablet & so far so good (I'm hoping that they miraculously help me lose a stone)!

[PAP48 in reply to peege]

Thank you and best of luck to you on your weight loss journey!

[Mavary in reply to peege]

I was first put on to Anlodipine and my feet were really swollen so my GP changed me to Losarton which I took for a long time before I saw a cardiologist. Although I’m now on Candersarton my feet still swell when the weather starts to get warmer. I’m fine in the Winter but as soon as the warmth comes my feet swell again. It’s not that warm yet but they’ve started. It’s a good job I don’t need my boots now because I wouldn’t be able to zip them up. Xx

[Suzie42]

I had side effects from taking Amlodipine and I knew 48hrs after taking them, I contacted gp who changed them to a different one which was fine. He told me that any high blood pressure medication can affect people in different ways and you can always find one that you can take. So please contact doctor for a change I think.Long term though....I'm off all blood pressure tablets by loosing weight, drinking green tea and eating celery. My cardiologist gave me 24hr blood pressure test and said I was fine, that was 3 years ago. I just take my own bp at home weekly as I have white coat syndrome and my bp sky rockets when I go in to have it checked. Obviously I'm lucky and many have to stay on medication for life. I hope this is helpful to you

[Sensitive52 in reply to Suzie42]

Good morning Suzie42, Can I ask which BP drug worked for you, and did it give you swollen ankles.?

[Suzie42 in reply to Sensitive52]

RAMIPRIL on it for years no problems whatsoever

[Sensitive52 in reply to Suzie42]

Thanks for your reply.

[YummyBear in reply to Suzie42]

Ramipril caused me a rasping cough for months. Changed to Losartan and Amlodipine, all good now.

[PAP48 in reply to Suzie42]

Thank you for replying Suzie42 very helpful information. My Consultant wants me to try the Adizem for 4 weeks as apparently it is good not only for high blood pressure but Afib as well. I'll give it a go for the 4 weeks then if things don't settle I'll ask for a change. I am trying very hard to lose weight as I have put on a bit since Covid and I am trying to walk more as I'm sure exercise helps as well. It does give me hope that if I do lose weight etc. I'll be in the same position as you! Fingers crossed. Take care.

[Suzie42 in reply to PAP48]

Fingers crossed for you! Yes exercise is great and weight loss is very good. I lost 2st and feel a lot better for it. Best of luck for the next few weeks and take care

[PAP48 in reply to Suzie42]

Thank you so much, means a lot. Take care too.

[Mellywelly]

Hi, it might take a bit of time to find the right one that suits you better with no side effects. I have copd and high blood pressure and my doctor prescribed 4 different tabs before settling me on atenolol. Little did I know seeing a new doctor 6 years later, people with asthma or copd shouldn't take them as they narrow the Airways, now I google everything. I am now on losartan which seems to work fine just effects your bowels a bit, but I can live with that. I would do your own research as I find sometimes that's better. Good luck 👍

[PAP48 in reply to Mellywelly]

Thank you for replying Mellywell - interesting as I have Bronchiectasis as well as Afib and high blood pressure. I will take your advice and do my own research and see what I feel is the best for me to take. Meanwhile I'm trying to lose weight and exercise more which I'm hoping will help. Take care.

[Ergendl]

The only blood pressure med I could cope with after being taken off propanolol was indapamide.

I found losing 10lb weight helped bring my blood pressure down into the normal range, even though I was already at the top end of a healthy weight. I try to make meals from scratch rather than eating too many convenience meals, keeping my portion sizes smaller by using a smaller dinner plate, avoiding too many treats, and keeping my salt intake low. I also maintain a regular meal pattern of light breakfast, sandwich and salad and fruit lunch, and main meal for tea, plus light supper with hot milky drink. Hope this helps

[PAP48 in reply to Ergendl]

Thank you for your reply Ergendi, very useful information about losing weight! I am overweight and now am trying my best to eat healthily and lose those extra pounds. I don't have much salt but, of course, there is hidden salt I guess. I have to be careful with evening meal that it is light and a small portion, overeating at night can set my Afib off! Keep safe.

[Ergendl in reply to PAP48]

Then it's fine to have your main meal at lunch time, or to have two larger than snack but smaller than main meals during the day. Grazing can be helpful, but it usually leads to eating far more than your body needs.

You may find it helpful to drink about 8 non-alcoholic drinks a day. I space mine as one before breakfast, one mid morning, one at lunch time, one in the afternoon, one at tea time, and one at supper (usually tea); with sips of water throughout the day.

[Nightmare2]

I am just 76 and take one amlodipine a day 5 mg. all BP tablets can cause ankes to swell. with age most of us will get higher BP, its to be expected. I have no side effects from it, but just diagnosed with AF aswell so on thinners twice a day. all Symptoms of just pure ageing, at least we are still alive and kicking is how i look at life now.

[PAP48 in reply to Nightmare2]

Hi Nightmare2, thanks for your reply. I'm 75 and am too on blood thinner for Afib along with Flecainide also for Afib. The joys of getting old but, as you say, we're still alive and long may that continue! Keep well and safe.

[Nightmare2 in reply to PAP48]

Thankyou and you stay safe aswell. as you say the joys of getting older, i just turned 76 last month, but up to a few months ago, never realised my age or felt it, but do now. Kind regards,

[PAP48 in reply to Nightmare2]

I know what you mean! In my head I’m 25 but sadly not in the rest of me! Best wishes.

[Izb1]

I couldn't take Amoldopine as they made my ankles swell badly, neither could my sister for the same reason. I tried quite a few before settling on Bisopralol, but by far is to lose some weight which at the moment I am finding difficult x

[PAP48 in reply to Izb1]

Thank you for replying Isb1, the weight thing is definitely something I am trying to do and I agree it is difficult, as well as exercise. I've never had high blood pressure before so it's all a bit of a learning curve! Good luck with the losing weight, let me know how you get on. Keep well.

[JJ_7]

I have been on 10 mg Amlodipine daily for 15 years . I have not had any symptoms others have mentioned here. My BP is now in the normal range. I exercise Daily and try and keep my calorie intake down. I do hope it settles down PAP48 x

[PAP48 in reply to JJ_7]

Thank you so much JJ_7, I'm sure it will settle in the fullness of time! I am now trying very hard to lose weight and exercise every day in the hopes that I can lower my blood pressure to a more normal range. This is the first time I've had to take blood pressure tablets which I must say, I find a bit depressing but onwards and upwards! Take care and keep well.

[JJ_7 in reply to PAP48]

Thank you xxx

[Mavary]

H! Like you I have white coat syndrome. If I go to the Drs or hospital my blood pressure goes sky high. I’ve had high blood pressure for as long as I can remember. I was prescribed Losarton but when I saw a Cardiologist he changed it to Candersarton. Apparently there’s less incidence of heart attack or strokes with Candersarton. Even when I was young having my Children I had high blood pressure. I’m still here though.

[PAP48 in reply to Mavary]

Thank you for your reply Mavary, I know as soon as I walk into the doctor's surgery my blood pressure will rocket! I am doing a 7 day at home chart to return to the doctor. I have never had high blood pressure before, only last year it was in the normal range and when I was pregnant my blood pressure went too low! Keep safe and well.

[Homely2]

Amlodipine did not work for me, while felodipine did.Ramipiril also works well for me.

Most doctors have their own favourites. You keep changing until you get the right combination for you.

Main issue for me is that some blood pressure drugs are contra indicated for my asthma. So the gp and consultant at present disagreeing over whether I should take bisoporol.

The main thing to keep my blood pressure down is to keep my asthma under control.

[PAP48 in reply to Homely2]

Thank you for replying Homely 2, I have Bronchiectasis with Asthma so I totally understand the problems with getting the correct drugs. My chest consultant is of the opinion that my chest problems aggravate Afib but I'm not sure if that, in turn, affects my blood pressure. I'm sure I'll get the right drug evenutally! Keep safe and well.

[Timberman]

I am on Amlopodine and since starting my HR has been much better - down from 100-120 to 75-85. And no side effects.

Your adizem seems to be different and see below for more info. But swollen ankles is oedema and a symptom of heart problems. I should get back to your specialist.

Comparison of amlodipine and long-acting diltiazem in the ...

National Institutes of Health (.gov)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › ...

by LD Horwitz · 1997 · Cited by 40 — Both drugs significantly reduced resting, sitting, standing, and 24-h ambulatory systolic and diastolic pressures. Amlodipine caused significantly greater ...

A placebo-controlled comparison of diltiazem and ...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › ...

by RW Watts · 1998 · Cited by 30 — While amlodipine is more potent than diltiazem in reducing systolic blood pressure, it causes more vasodilator side effects. Publication types.

[PAP48 in reply to Timberman]

Thank you so much for all the info Timberman, I'll read it all through. The swollen ankles is, according to the blurb in the pack, a side effect of Adizem. It is a slow release tablet to help with Afib as well as high blood pressure. I am on it for 4 weeks and then have to report back, so I'll give it a go and take it from there. Keep well.

[Boursin]

Yes it made my feet swell,I don't tale anymore,it is one of the side effects

[PAP48 in reply to Boursin]

Thank you for your reply Boursin, do you take any blood pressure tablets at all? Keep well.